Shloka 59
अस्मदर्थ च राजेन्द्र संनहोद् यदि केशव: । रामो वाप्यनिरुद्धो वा प्रद्मयुम्नो वा महारथ:,'राजेन्द्र! महाराज! यदि युद्धके श्रेष्ठ मुहानेपर हमारी सहायताके लिये भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण, बलराम, अनिरुद्ध, महारथी प्रद्युम्न, गद, सारण अथवा वृष्णिवंशियोंसहित साम्ब कवच धारण करके तैयार होंगे, तो भी मैं पुरुषसिंह सत्यपराक्रमी शिनिपौत्र सात्यकिको अवश्य ही अपनी सहायताके कार्यमें नियुक्त करूँगा; क्योंकि मेरी दृष्टिमें दूसरा कोई सात्यकिके समान नहीं है”
asmadarthaṃ ca rājendra sannaddho yadi keśavaḥ | rāmo vāpy aniruddho vā pradyumno vā mahārathaḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O king of kings! Even if Keśava (Kṛṣṇa) himself were to stand armed and ready for battle on our behalf—or Balarāma, or Aniruddha, or the great chariot-warrior Pradyumna—still, for the work of aiding me I would certainly appoint Sātyaki, the lion among men, the truly valorous grandson of Śini; for in my judgment there is no other equal to Sātyaki.”
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment in leadership: even amidst the presence of the greatest allies, Yudhiṣṭhira emphasizes the unique suitability of a proven warrior for a specific duty. It underscores that effective support in dharmic struggle depends not only on prestige but on demonstrated capability and trust.
In the Drona Parva’s intense war setting, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks about securing aid. He states that even if Kṛṣṇa and other eminent Vṛṣṇi heroes were ready to fight for the Pāṇḍavas, he would still specifically appoint Sātyaki for the task of assisting him, because he considers Sātyaki unmatched for that role.