Shloka 143
द्रोणनिन्दाश्रवणं तथा सात्यकि–पार्षतविवादः
Hearing the reproach of Droṇa and the Sātyaki–Pārṣata dispute
वार्यमाणस्तु विशिखै: सहदेवो रणं जहौ । तत्पश्चात् माद्रीकुमार सहदेवने अपने-आपको आयुधोंसे रहित समझकर कर्णके बाणोंसे अवरुद्ध हो उस रणभूमिको त्याग दिया
vāryamāṇas tu viśikhaiḥ sahadevo raṇaṃ jahau | tatpaścāt mādrīkumaras sahadevaḥ svayam āyudhair rahitaṃ manyamānaḥ karṇabāṇair avaruddho raṇabhūmiṃ tyaktavān |
サハデーヴァは踏みとどまろうと努めたが、矢の雨に阻まれて戦いを離れた。ついでマードリーの子サハデーヴァは、自らをもはや有効な武器なき者と見なし、カルナの矢に包囲されて、その戦場を捨て去った。この段は戦の苛烈な掟を示す――勇は称えられるが、武器を失い圧倒されたとき、生き延びるための策としての退却は避けがたい。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic dimension of kṣatriya conduct: courage is essential, but when one is effectively disarmed and overwhelmed, withdrawal can be a necessary tactical choice rather than mere cowardice. It reflects the battlefield reality where dharma is pursued amid constraints, danger, and unequal advantage.
Sañjaya reports that Sahadeva is stopped and pressured by a storm of arrows. Feeling himself without effective weapons and blocked by Karṇa’s missiles, Sahadeva leaves the battlefield, indicating Karṇa’s dominance in that exchange.