Shloka 4
अनीकव्यूहप्रतिव्यूहः
Counter-deployment of Divisions and the Opening Tumult
अनीकं दक्षिणं राजन् युयुधानेन पालितम् । श्रीमता सात्वताग्र्येण शक्रेणेव धनुष्मता,राजन! उस व्यूहके दक्षिणभागकी रक्षा इन्द्रके समान धनुर्धर सात्वतशिरोमणि श्रीमान् सात्यकि कर रहे थे
anīkaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ rājan yuyudhānena pālitam | śrīmatā sātvatāgryena śakreṇeva dhanuṣmatā ||
Sañjaya said: O King, the right wing of that battle-array was being guarded by Yuyudhāna—Sātyaki, the illustrious foremost of the Sātvatas—bow in hand, like Indra himself. The verse highlights disciplined protection of a strategic flank, presenting martial duty as vigilant stewardship rather than mere aggression.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma in warfare as disciplined guardianship: a warrior’s excellence is shown in protecting a vulnerable flank and upholding order within the army’s formation, not merely in striking the enemy.
Sañjaya describes the deployment within a battle-array: the right wing is entrusted to Sātyaki (Yuyudhāna), who stands as its defender, likened to Indra for his prowess with the bow.