Shloka 343
अर्जुनस्य गुरुधर्मविलापः तथा शैनेयकर्णयोर्युद्धारम्भः | Arjuna’s Lament on Guru-Dharma and the Opening of the Sātyaki–Karṇa Duel
तानविध्यन्महाराज सवनिव त्रिभिस्त्रिभि: | इसके बाद दुःसहने सात्यकिकी छातीमें पंद्रह बाण मारे। महाराज! इस प्रकार उन बाणोंसे आहत होकर वृष्णिवंशके सिंह सात्यकिने मुसकराते हुए ही उन सबको ही तीन- तीन बाणोंसे घायल कर दिया
tān avidhyan mahārāja savanir iva tribhis tribhiḥ |
Sañjaya said: “O King, he struck them, like Savani (Indra) of old, with three arrows each. Then, after Duhsaha had pierced Sātyaki’s chest with fifteen shafts, the lion of the Vṛṣṇi line—Sātyaki—though wounded by those arrows, smiled and in return wounded them all again with three arrows apiece.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness under injury: even when grievously wounded, a warrior is expected to maintain composure and continue fighting without surrendering to fear or rage. Sātyaki’s smiling endurance signals inner steadiness amid violence.
In the Drona Parva battle account, Sātyaki is struck—Duhsaha shoots him in the chest with fifteen arrows. Despite being wounded, Sātyaki remains unshaken and retaliates, piercing the opposing warriors with three arrows each, likened to Indra’s prowess.