Shloka 383
Sātyaki-praveśaḥ and Duryodhana-saṃnipātaḥ
Sātyaki’s passage and Duryodhana’s mass engagement
सज्यं सज्यं धनुश्चास्य चिच्छेद निशितै: शरै: । तब द्रोणाचार्य पुनः बड़ी उतावलीके साथ दूसरा धनुष हाथमें लेकर खड़े हो गये; परंतु ज्यों ही वे धनुषपर डोरी चढ़ाते, त्यों ही सात्यकि अपने तीखे बाणोंद्वारा उसे काट देते थे
sañjaya uvāca | sajyaṃ sajyaṃ dhanuś cāsya ciccheda niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ |
सञ्जय उवाच—सज्यं सज्यं धनुश्चास्य चिच्छेद निशितैः शरैः । द्रोणोऽपि पुनरुत्तस्थौ धनुरादाय वेगतः । यदा यदा प्रत्यञ्चां तु समारोपयति प्रभुः । तदा तदा शितैर्बाणैः सात्यकिस्तच्छिनत्त्युत ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a righteous war, effectiveness depends on alertness and disciplined skill: hesitation is punished, and preparedness must be continuous. The verse also highlights how power can be checked by timely, precise action rather than brute force.
Droṇācārya repeatedly takes up and strings a bow, but each time Sātyaki shoots sharp arrows that cut the bow, preventing Droṇa from using it and keeping him momentarily disarmed.