Shloka 60
घटोत्कच भवांश्वैव दीर्घबाहुश्व सात्यकि: । मतो मे सर्वसैन्येषु भीमसेनश्न पाण्डव:,'घटोत्कच! मेरी सम्पूर्ण सेनाओंमें तीन ही वीर श्रेष्ठ माने गये हैं--तुम, महाबाहु सात्यकि तथा पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेन
sañjaya uvāca |
ghaṭotkaca bhavāṁś caiva dīrghabāhuś ca sātyakiḥ |
mato me sarvasainyeṣu bhīmasenaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O Ghaṭotkaca, in my judgment there are only three warriors who stand foremost among all the armies—yourself, the long-armed Sātyaki, and Bhīmasena, the son of Pāṇḍu.” In the midst of war, Sañjaya marks out exceptional strength and resolve, highlighting how individual prowess can decisively shape the moral and strategic stakes of the conflict.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores discernment in leadership and warfare: recognizing the truly decisive agents in a vast conflict. It also reflects the epic’s emphasis that extraordinary personal prowess—when aligned with one’s side and duty—can alter the course of a righteous struggle.
Sañjaya, narrating events to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, identifies three standout fighters across the assembled forces—Ghaṭotkaca, Sātyaki, and Bhīma—signaling their exceptional impact on the unfolding battle in the Droṇa Parva.