Shloka 14
Sātyaki’s Call for Intervention and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Vow-Bound Restraint (सात्यकिवाक्यं—धर्मराजस्य धैर्यनिश्चयः)
वृत्तोरुरत्यायतपीनबाहु- रेतेन संख्ये निहतो<श्वचक्र: । को नाम साम्बस्य महारथस्य रणे समक्ष रथमभ्युदीयात्,इनकी जाँघें गोल हैं, भुजाएँ लंबी और मोटी हैं; इन्होंने युद्धमें अश्वारोहियोंकी कितनी ही सेनाओंका संहार किया है। भला, संग्रामभूमिमें महारथी साम्बके रथके सम्मुख कौन आ सकता है?
vṛttorur atyāyatapīnabāhu- reteṇa saṅkhye nihato 'śvacakraḥ | ko nāma sāmbasya mahārathasya raṇe samakṣa ratham abhyudīyāt ||
Baladeva said: “With his rounded thighs and long, powerful arms, he has already destroyed whole formations of horsemen in the press of battle. Who, on the field of war, could possibly ride out to face the chariot of Sāmba, that great chariot-warrior?”
बलदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of valor and reputation in battle: proven prowess inspires confidence and deters challengers. Ethically, it reflects how martial excellence and prior deeds shape morale and perceived dharma on the battlefield.
Baladeva is praising Sāmba’s physical strength and battlefield achievements, noting that he has already crushed cavalry forces and rhetorically asking who could dare to confront Sāmba’s chariot directly in combat.