Shloka 573
द्रोणपुत्रस्याग्नेयास्त्रप्रयोगः — अर्जुनस्य ब्राह्मास्त्रप्रतिघातः — व्यासोपदेशः
Aśvatthāmā’s Agneyāstra, Arjuna’s Brāhmāstra Counter, and Vyāsa’s Instruction
संसक्तं सात्यकिं ज्ञात्वा बहुभि: कुरुपुड्भवै: । “भारत! सात्यकिको बहुत-से प्रधान कौरववीरोंक साथ उलझा हुआ जानकर सव्यसाची अर्जुन सामनेसे द्रोणाचार्यकी सेनाकी ओर आ रहे हैं
saṁsaktaṁ sātyakiṁ jñātvā bahubhiḥ kurupuṅgavaiḥ |
Sañjaya said: Knowing that Sātyaki was closely engaged—entangled in combat—with many of the foremost heroes among the Kurus, Arjuna (the ambidextrous archer) advanced from the front toward Droṇācārya’s army. The moment underscores a warrior’s duty to protect an ally and to act decisively amid the moral pressure of a fratricidal war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma expressed as protective loyalty: when an ally is hard-pressed by many elite opponents, a responsible warrior acts promptly to support and safeguard him, even amid the ethical strain of civil war.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki has become locked in combat with many leading Kaurava fighters. Recognizing this, Arjuna moves forward toward Droṇa’s forces, implying an attempt to reach, reinforce, or rescue Sātyaki within the enemy formation.