Shloka 356
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 109 — Karṇa–Bhīma Yuddha and Durmukha’s Fall (कर्णभीमयुद्धम्; दुर्मुखवधः)
नातिकृच्छाद्धसन्नेव विजिग्ये पुरुषर्षभ: । बलवान युद्धदुर्मद पुरुषप्रवर सात्यकिने हँसते हुए ही उन सबको अधिक कष्ट उठाये बिना ही परास्त कर दिया
nātikṛcchād dhasann eva vijigye puruṣarṣabhaḥ | balavān yuddhadurmadaḥ puruṣapravaraḥ sātyakiḥ ||
नातिकृच्छाद्धसन्नेव विजिग्ये पुरुषर्षभः । बलवान् युद्धदुर्मदः पुरुषप्रवरः सात्यकिः सर्वानेतान् पराजयत् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of kṣatriya prowess—decisive action and fearlessness in battle—while also hinting at the moral tension of war: victory can appear effortless to the mighty even as the broader conflict remains tragic.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki, described as exceptionally strong and battle-fervent, defeats his opponents with little strain, almost smiling—emphasizing his dominance in that phase of the fighting.