Shloka 173
अभ्यद्रवन्त शैनेयमसंख्येयाश्ष पत्तय: । तत्पश्चात् एक हजार रथी, सौ महारथी, एक हजार हाथी और दो हजार घुड़सवारोंके साथ बहुत-से महारथी और असंख्य पैदल सैनिक सात्यकिपर नाना प्रकारके बाणोंकी वर्षा करते हुए टूट पड़े
abhyadravanta śaineyam asaṅkhyeyāś ca pattayaḥ | tatpaścāt eka-sahasra-rathī, śata-mahārathī, eka-sahasra-hastī ca dvi-sahasra-aśvārūḍhāḥ bahavaś ca mahārathā asaṅkhyeyāś ca padātayaḥ sātyakim nānā-vidhaiḥ śaraiḥ varṣayantaḥ samantāt pratyapatanta |
अभ्यद्रवन्त शैनेयमसंख्येयाश्च पत्तयः। ततः सहस्रं रथिनां शतं महारथिनां तथा। सहस्रं गजानां द्विसहस्रं चाश्वारोहिणाम्॥ बहवो महारथाश्चान्ये पत्तयश्चापि संख्यया। नानाशरवर्षैस्तं सात्यकिं समन्तादभ्यवाकिरन्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights steadfastness under extreme pressure: dharma in war is tested when a lone ally faces overwhelming numbers, and ethical strength appears as courage, discipline, and refusal to abandon one’s duty despite fear and violence.
Sañjaya reports that Sātyaki (Śaineya) is charged by innumerable infantry, followed by large formations of chariots, elite chariot-warriors, elephants, and cavalry, all attacking from every side while raining diverse arrows upon him.