Shloka 2
द्रोणपर्व — अध्याय ८७: सात्यकेरनुयात्रा
Sātyaki’s resolve and departure to reach Arjuna
जानन्तस्तस्य कर्माणि कुरव: सव्यसाचिन: । कथं तत् किल्बिषं कृत्वा निर्भया ब्रूहि मामका:,सव्यसाची अर्जुनके पराक्रमको जानते हुए भी मेरे पक्षवाले कौरव योद्धा उनका अपराध करके कैसे निर्भय रह सके? यह बताओ
jānantastasya karmāṇi kuravaḥ savyasācinaḥ | kathaṃ tat kilbiṣaṃ kṛtvā nirbhayā brūhi māmakāḥ ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Though the Kuru warriors know the deeds and prowess of Savyasācin (Arjuna), how did my own men, after committing that wrongdoing against him, remain fearless? Tell me.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights moral accountability in war: knowing a righteous and powerful opponent’s proven deeds, committing an offense (kilbiṣa) against him should naturally produce fear and hesitation; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s astonishment underscores how delusion, pride, or misplaced confidence can dull ethical awareness and consequences.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra questions how the Kaurava warriors—despite knowing Arjuna’s established exploits—could commit an offense against him and still remain unafraid, seeking an explanation of their mindset and the situation on the battlefield.