Shloka 18
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय 128: दुर्योधनस्य परसेनाप्रवेशः
Duryodhana’s Incursion and the Tumult of Battle
असौ हि श्रूयते शब्द: शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम् । मिथ: संयुध्यमानानां वृष्णिवीरेण धीमता,“बुद्धिमान् वृष्णिवंशी वीर सात्यकिके साथ परस्पर युद्ध करनेवाले उन शूरवीरोंका वह महान् कोलाहल सुनायी पड़ता है, जो युद्धसे कभी पीछे नहीं हटते हैं
asau hi śrūyate śabdaḥ śūrāṇām anivartinām | mithaḥ saṃyudhyamānānāṃ vṛṣṇivīreṇa dhīmatā ||
Sañjaya said: “That very roar is heard—the tumult of warriors who never turn back from battle—clashing with one another, as they fight against the wise Vṛṣṇi hero.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of steadfastness in battle—warriors described as anivartin (non-retreating). It frames courage and resolve as defining virtues in the battlefield ethic, while also noting the presence of discernment (dhīmat) in the leading hero.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that a great tumult is heard from the battlefield: warriors are locked in mutual combat, contending with the wise hero of the Vṛṣṇi line—understood in context as Sātyaki.