Shloka 12
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
तरन्निव जले श्रान्तो यथा स्थलमुपेयिवान् | त॑ दृष्टवा पुरुषव्याप्र॑ं युयुधान: समाश्चसत्,जैसे जलमें तैरते-तैरते थका हुआ मनुष्य स्थलमें पहुँच जाय, उसी प्रकार पुरुषसिंह अर्जुनको देखकर युयुधानको बड़ा आश्वासन मिला
tarann iva jale śrānto yathā sthalam upeyivān | taṃ dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghraṃ yuyudhānaḥ samāśvasat ||
Sañjaya said: Just as a man, exhausted from swimming in water, gains relief on reaching firm ground, so too did Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) feel a great reassurance upon seeing Arjuna, the tiger among men. In the turmoil of war, the sight of a righteous and capable ally becomes a moral and strategic refuge, restoring courage and steadiness of purpose.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In crisis, moral strength and confidence can be restored by the presence of a steadfast, capable, dharmic ally; righteous leadership functions like firm ground for the exhausted.
Sañjaya describes Sātyaki’s renewed confidence when he sees Arjuna on the battlefield, comparing it to a tired swimmer reaching land and feeling immediate relief.