Shloka 23
Bhūriśravas–Sātyaki Saṃvāda and Duel; Arjuna’s Intervention (भूरिश्रवाः–सात्यकि संवादः, युद्धम्, अर्जुन-हस्तक्षेपः)
सात्वतो निशितैर्बाणैर्गजानीकमयोधयत् | पर्वतानिव वर्षेण तपान्ते जलदो महान्,सात्यकिने भी पैने बाणोंद्वारा गजसेनाके साथ युद्ध प्रारम्भ किया, मानो वर्षाकालमें महान् मेघ पर्वतोंपर जलकी धारा बरसा रहा हो
sātvato niśitair bāṇair gajānīkam ayodhayat | parvatān iva varṣeṇa tapānte jalado mahān |
Sañjaya berkata: Wira Sātvata (Sātyaki), dengan anak-anak panahnya yang setajam pisau, mula bertempur melawan pasukan gajah—bagaikan awan hujan besar di penghujung musim panas mencurahkan limpahan air ke atas gunung-ganang. Kiasan ini menegaskan daya yang sukar ditahan, seakan tidak berperibadi, daripada keperwiraan yang dilepaskan dalam krisis dharma peperangan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of resolute action in battle and uses a natural simile to frame martial force as overwhelming and inevitable. Ethically, it reflects how, once war is joined in a dharmic conflict, disciplined prowess is portrayed as a duty-driven force rather than personal cruelty.
Sañjaya describes Sātyaki (called the Sātvata) launching a fierce attack with sharp arrows against the enemy elephant-corps. His assault is compared to a massive rain-cloud at summer’s end drenching mountains—suggesting continuous, heavy volleys and unstoppable momentum.