Shloka 13
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
तथा तस्मिन् बले शूरैर्वध्यमाने हतेडपि च | अस्मानभ्याययु: पार्था वृकोदरपुरोगमा:
sañjaya uvāca |
tathā tasmin bale śūraiḥ vadhyamāne hate 'pi ca |
asmān abhyāyayuḥ pārthā vṛkodara-purogamāḥ ||
śara-sambhinna-varmāṇau tāv ubhau bhrātarau raṇe |
sātyakiṃ satya-karmāṇaṃ rājan vivyadhatuḥ śaraiḥ ||
サンジャヤは言った。「勇士たちによりその軍勢が切り崩され、屍となって横たわるさなかでさえ、プリターの子らはヴリコーダラ（ビーマ）を先頭に、われらへと進撃してきた。あの二人の兄弟は矢により鎧を粉々にされながらも、戦場のただ中で、誓いに真実な業で名高いサーティヤキを矢で貫き、傷を負わせたのだ、王よ。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the grim ethic of battlefield duty: even when forces are collapsing and warriors are wounded, combatants continue out of allegiance and kṣatriya obligation. It also contrasts physical vulnerability (shattered armor) with steadfast resolve (continuing to fight).
As the army is being slaughtered, the Pāṇḍavas surge forward with Bhīma leading. Two brothers—despite their armor being broken by arrows—manage to pierce and wound Sātyaki with their shafts, as Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra.