Shloka 2

Devanagari script

एको हि समरे कर्म कृतवान्‌ सत्यविक्रम: । शक्रतुल्यबलो युद्धे महेन्द्रो दानवेष्विव,जैसे देवराज इन्द्र दानवोंके साथ युद्धमें पराक्रम दिखाते हैं, उसी प्रकार इन्द्रतुल्य बलशाली सत्यपराक्रमी सात्यकिने समरांगणमें अकेले ही महान्‌ कर्म किया

Transliteration

eko hi samare karma kṛtavān satyavikramaḥ | śakratulyabalo yuddhe mahendro dānaveṣv iva ||

Translation

For in the battle, Sātyaki—whose valor is true and unwavering—performed a great deed all by himself. Mighty in war like Śakra (Indra), he displayed prowess just as Mahendra does when fighting the Dānavas, holding his ground through righteous courage amid the chaos of combat.

Word by Word

एकःalone, one (person)

हिindeed, for

समरेin battle

कर्मdeed, act

कृतवान्having done, did

सत्यविक्रमःSatyavikrama (true-valorous one; Satyaki)

शक्रतुल्यबलःwhose strength is equal to Śakra (Indra)

युद्धेin war

महेन्द्रःMahendra (great Indra)

दानवेषुamong/against the Dānavas (demons)

इवlike, as if

Speaker

घतयाट्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sātyaki

Śakra (Indra)

Mahendra

Dānavas

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse praises steadfast, truthful valor: a warrior’s excellence is shown by courageous action even when alone, guided by resolve rather than numbers—an ideal aligned with kṣatriya duty in the epic’s moral universe.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker extols Sātyaki’s battlefield exploit, saying he accomplished a great feat single-handedly, and likens his strength and prowess in war to Indra’s legendary battles against the Dānavas.