Shloka 21
Śiva’s Battlefield Manifestation and Vyāsa’s Śatarudrīya Exposition (शिवप्रादुर्भावः शतरुद्रीयव्याख्यानम्)
प्रजानाथ! तब आपका पुत्र उस अश्वहीन रथपर खड़ा हो सात्यकिके रथकी ओर पैने बाण छोड़ने लगा ।। शरान् पञ्चाशततस्तांस्तु शैनेय: कृतहस्तवत् । चिच्छेद समरे राजन प्रेषितांस्तनयेन ते,राजन! परंतु आपके पुत्रद्वारा छोड़े गये पचास बाणोंको समरांगणमें सात्यकिने एक सिद्धहस्त योद्धाकी भाँति काट डाला
sañjaya uvāca |
śarān pañcāśatatas tāṁs tu śaineyaḥ kṛtahastavat |
chiccheda samare rājan preṣitāṁs tanayena te ||
Sanjaya said: O King, in the thick of battle Śaineya (Sātyaki), like a consummate master of weapons, cut down those fifty arrows that had been shot by your son. The scene underscores how trained skill and alertness can neutralize aggression, even amid the moral darkness of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, outcomes often hinge on disciplined skill and presence of mind: aggression is not decisive by itself; mastery and vigilance can restrain harm. The verse also reflects the tragic irony of the Kurukṣetra war—great talents are spent in mutual destruction rather than righteous protection.
Duryodhana shoots fifty arrows in battle, but Sātyaki (Śaineya) intercepts and cuts them down mid-combat, demonstrating superior archery and control on the battlefield.