Shloka 22
Kṛtavarmā–Sātyaki Chariot Duel and Kaurava Morale Shock (कृतवर्म-सात्यकि-द्वैरथम्)
तत् कर्म शाल्वस्य समीक्ष्य सर्वे पाउ्चालपुत्रा नृप सृज्जयाश्न । हाहाकारैर्नादयन्ति सम युद्धे द्विपं समन्ताद् रुरुधुर्नराग्रया:,नरेश्वर! शास्त्रका वह पराक्रम देखकर समस्त नरश्रेष्ठ पांचाल तथा सूृंजय अपने हाहाकारोंसे सम्पूर्ण दिशाओंको प्रतिध्वनित करने लगे। उन्होंने युद्धभूमिमें उस हाथीको चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
tat karma śālvasya samīkṣya sarve pāñcālaputrā nṛpa sṛñjayāś ca | hāhākārair nādayantaḥ samantād yuddhe dvipaṃ rurodhur narāgryāḥ ||
Disse Sañjaya: Ó rei! Ao verem tal feito e a valentia de Śālva, todos os filhos de Pāñcāla e os Sṛñjayas ergueram um grande brado de guerra que fez ressoar os quatro quadrantes. Então, aqueles homens eminentes cercaram o elefante por todos os lados em meio ao combate.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the ethics of kṣatriya warfare, a sudden threat is met not by isolated heroics but by coordinated restraint: the warriors respond together, raising a rallying cry and containing the dangerous force (the elephant). The verse highlights disciplined collective responsibility—protecting one’s side by swift, united action.
Sañjaya reports that after witnessing Śālva’s feat, the Pāñcāla princes and the Sṛñjayas shout loudly so the battlefield resounds, and they then encircle a war-elephant from all directions to stop it and neutralize its impact in the fight.