Shloka 8
Adhyāya 143: Nocturnal duels—Nākuli and Citraseṇa; Vṛṣasena’s assault; Duḥśāsana vs Prativindhya
तद् दृष्टवा चरितं तस्य सिंहविक्रान्तगामिन: । त्रिगर्ता: संन्यवर्तन्त संतप्ता: स्वजनं प्रति,सिंहके समान पराक्रमसूचक गतिसे चलनेवाले सात्यकिके उस चरित्रको देखकर त्रिगर्तदेशीय योद्धा अपने स्वजनोंके लिये शोक-संताप करते हुए पीछे लौट गये
tad dṛṣṭvā caritaṃ tasya siṃha-vikrānta-gāminaḥ | trigartāḥ saṃnyavartanta santaptāḥ svajanaṃ prati ||
Sañjaya berkata: Melihat tindak-tanduknya—dia yang mara dengan langkah singa seorang pahlawan tanpa gentar—para pejuang Trigarta berpaling undur, terbakar oleh dukacita dan pedih hati demi kaum kerabat mereka sendiri.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary valor and disciplined conduct in battle can break an opponent’s resolve, while also underscoring the ethical cost of war: warriors are driven not only by courage but also by sorrow for their own kin who suffer due to the conflict.
After witnessing the lion-like advance and deeds of the hero (contextually Sātyaki), the Trigarta warriors lose heart and withdraw, distressed about the fate of their own people amid the fighting.