Shloka 703
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
हार्दिक्यस्त्वरितो राजन प्रत्यगृह्नादभीतवत् | राजन! दुःसह एवं दुर्जय महाधनुर्धर सात्यकिको आक्रमण करते देख कृतवर्माने शीघ्रतापूर्वक एक निर्भय वीरकी भाँति उन्हें रोका
hārdikyas tvarito rājan pratyagṛhṇād abhītavat |
Sañjaya said: O King, Hārdikya (Kṛtavarmā), acting swiftly, checked the oncoming assault without fear. Seeing Sātyaki—formidable, hard to withstand, and difficult to conquer, a great wielder of the bow—advance to attack, Kṛtavarmā restrained him like a brave warrior, steady in the face of danger.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-ethics in battle: courage, quick decision, and steadfastness under threat. Fearlessness here is not recklessness but disciplined resolve—meeting a powerful opponent without yielding to panic.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Kṛtavarmā (Hārdikya) swiftly intercepts Sātyaki’s fierce advance. Sātyaki is described as formidable and difficult to defeat, yet Kṛtavarmā checks his assault like a brave, unafraid warrior.