Shloka 31
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
जयद्रथश्न हन्तव्यो लम्बते च दिवाकर: । श्रान्तश्नैष महाबाहुरल्पप्राणश्न साम्प्रतम्,“इसके सिवा जयद्रथका भी वध करना है। इधर सूर्यदेव अस्ताचलपर जा रहे हैं। माधव! ये महाबाहु सात्यकि इस समय थककर अल्पप्राण हो रहे हैं। इनके घोड़े और सारथि भी थक गये हैं। किंतु केशव! भूरिश्रवा और उनके सहायक थके नहीं हैं
jayadrathaś ca hantavyo lambate ca divākaraḥ | śrāntaś cāyaṃ mahābāhur alpaprāṇaś ca sāmpratam ||
Sanjaya said: “Jayadratha too must be slain, and the Sun is already sinking toward the horizon. This mighty-armed Sātyaki is now exhausted and short of breath.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as time-bound duty: when a righteous obligation (here, the necessity of slaying Jayadratha tied to a vow and battlefield justice) must be fulfilled before a deadline, hesitation and delay become ethically consequential. It also underscores compassion and realism in war—acknowledging fatigue and limits even in great heroes.
Sanjaya reports the battlefield situation: Jayadratha remains a required target, but the Sun is nearing sunset, intensifying urgency. At the same time, Sātyaki is visibly exhausted and weakened, implying the Pandava side is under strain as the critical moment approaches.