Shloka 45
Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Sañjaya-saṃvādaḥ; madhyāhna-saṅgrāma-pravṛttiḥ
Dhritarashtra–Sanjaya dialogue and the midday battle escalation
तत् तथा पीडित॑ं तेन माधवेन यशस्विना । प्रदुद्राव भयाद् रक्षस्त्यक्त्वा सात्यकिमाहवे,परमयशस्वी मधुवंशी सात्यकिके द्वारा इस प्रकार पीड़ित होनेपर वह राक्षस भयसे युद्धस्थलमें उन्हें छोड़कर भाग गया
tat tathā pīḍitaṃ tena mādhavena yaśasvinā | pradudrāva bhayād rakṣas tyaktvā sātyakim āhave ||
Sañjaya said: Thus hard-pressed by the illustrious Mādhava, the rākṣasa, seized by fear, fled—abandoning Sātyaki on the battlefield. The scene underscores how unrighteous aggression collapses when confronted by steadfast valor aligned with dharma.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a recurring Mahābhārata ethic: adharma-driven violence lacks inner steadiness and collapses under righteous, disciplined resistance. Fear makes the aggressor abandon even immediate objectives, while dharmic strength protects companions and restores order in battle.
Sañjaya reports that a rākṣasa, being severely pressured by Mādhava (Kṛṣṇa), becomes afraid and flees the battlefield, leaving Sātyaki behind in the midst of combat.