Shloka 713
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
हार्दिक्य: सात्यकिश्रैव सिंहाविव बलोत्कटौ । श्रेष्ठ घोड़ोंवाले वे महामनस्वी वृष्णिवंशी वीर सात्यकि और कृतवर्मा दो बलोन्मत्त सिंहोंके समान एक-दूसरेसे भिड़ गये
sañjaya uvāca | hārdikyaḥ sātyakiś caiva siṃhāv iva balotkaṭau | śreṣṭha-ghoḍānvitau vīrau mahāmanasvī vṛṣṇivaṃśyau parasparaṃ samabhidudruvatuḥ ||
Sanjaya said: Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā) and Sātyaki—both mighty as lions in their ferocity—those two high-souled heroes of the Vṛṣṇi line, mounted on excellent horses, charged at one another and clashed in direct combat. The scene underscores how, in the ruinous momentum of war, even the noblest warriors are driven into mutual destruction, testing courage and restraint amid the demands of kṣatriya-duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension of kṣatriya-duty: valor and steadfastness are praised, yet war’s momentum can force even noble, clan-related heroes into mutual violence, reminding readers that unchecked conflict consumes virtue along with life.
Sanjaya describes a direct clash: Sātyaki and Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā), both Vṛṣṇi heroes on fine horses, rush at each other like two powerful lions and engage in fierce combat.