Shloka 13
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
तमायान्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य केशव: पार्थमब्रवीत् । असावायाति शैनेयस्तव पार्थ पदानुग:,सात्यकिको आते देख भगवान् श्रीकृष्णने अर्जुनसे कहा--'पार्थ! देखो, यह तुम्हारे चरणोंका अनुगामी शिनिपौत्र सात्यकि आ रहा है
tam āyāntam abhiprekṣya keśavaḥ pārtham abravīt | asāv āyāti śaineyas tava pārtha padānugaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing him approaching, Keśava spoke to Pārtha: “O Pārtha, look—here comes Śaineya Sātyaki, following in your very footsteps.” The line underscores loyal companionship in the midst of war: even amid chaos, steadfast adherence to one’s chosen leader and cause is presented as a valued martial and ethical virtue.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical value of steadfast loyalty and disciplined followership (padānuga) in a righteous cause: in the turmoil of battle, commitment to one’s leader and shared dharma is portrayed as a strength rather than mere attachment.
Sañjaya narrates that Kṛṣṇa notices someone approaching and tells Arjuna that it is Sātyaki (Śaineya), coming as Arjuna’s close follower and ally—signaling reinforcement and solidarity on the battlefield.