Shloka 1
Droṇavadha-saṃniveśaḥ — The Convergence Toward Droṇa’s Fall
Book 7, Chapter 164
न२््््स्शितास् श््यु नी नत्तज्स द्विषष्ट्यांधेकशततमो< ध्याय: सात्यकिद्वारा सोमदत्तका वध, द्रोणाचार्य और युधिष्ठिरका युद्ध तथा भगवान् श्रीकृष्णका युधिष्ठिरको द्रोणाचार्यसे दूर रहनेका आदेश संजय उवाच सोमदत्तं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य विधुन्वानं महद् धनु: । सात्यकि: प्राह यन्तारं सोमदत्ताय मां वह,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! सोमदत्तको अपना विशाल धनुष हिलाते देख सात्यकिने अपने सारथिसे कहा--“मुझे सोमदत्तके पास ले चलो
sañjaya uvāca | somadattaṃ tu samprekṣya vidhunvānaṃ mahad dhanuḥ | sātyakiḥ prāha yantāraṃ somadattāya māṃ vaha ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, seeing Somadatta brandishing his great bow, Sātyaki spoke to his charioteer: ‘Drive me toward Somadatta.’”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve and purposeful action: upon recognizing an immediate threat or worthy opponent, the warrior does not hesitate but directs his resources (here, the chariot and charioteer) toward a clear objective. Ethically, it reflects disciplined agency—decision, command, and execution within the duties of battle.
Sañjaya reports to the king that Somadatta is visibly preparing for combat by shaking his mighty bow. In response, Sātyaki orders his charioteer to drive him straight toward Somadatta, signaling the start of a direct engagement.