Shloka 326
Chapter 12: Arjuna’s suppression of the Saṃśaptakas and duel with Aśvatthāmā
Drauṇi
सात्यकेस्तु तथैवासौ चर्म चिच्छेद पार्थिव: । फिर वे एक-दूसरेके वधके लिये भारी यत्न करने लगे। तदनन्तर सात्यकिने विन्दकी ढालके दो टुकड़े कर दिये। इसी प्रकार राजकुमार विन्दने भी सात्यकिकी ढाल टूक-टूक कर दी
sātyakestu tathaivāsau carma ciccheda pārthivaḥ |
Sanjaya berkata: Dengan cara yang sama, raja itu menebas perisai kulit Sātyaki. Lalu, dengan tekad suram untuk saling membunuh, mereka berusaha sekuat-kuatnya. Sesudah itu Sātyaki membelah perisai Vinda menjadi dua; demikian pula Putera Vinda menghancurkan perisai Sātyaki hingga berkeping-keping.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the kṣatriya ethos in the Mahābhārata: once battle is joined, warriors pursue their pledged duty with steadfast resolve, even as violence escalates. Ethically, it underscores how commitment, pride, and loyalty can intensify conflict, pressing individuals deeper into the consequences of war within a broader dharmic breakdown.
Sañjaya describes a close combat exchange between Sātyaki and Vinda (a royal opponent). The king cuts Sātyaki’s leather shield; then both fighters exert themselves to kill each other. Sātyaki splits Vinda’s shield into two, and Vinda in turn breaks Sātyaki’s shield into pieces.