Shloka 15
Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
तमेक॑ सत्यकर्माणमासाद्य हृदिकात्मज: । अविध्यन्निशितैर्बाणिश्षतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्,कृतवर्माने अद्वितीय वीर सत्यपराक्रमी सात्यकिके पास पहुँचकर चार पैने बाणोंसे उनके चारों घोड़ोंको घायल कर दिया
tam ekaṃ satyakarmāṇam āsādya hṛdikātmajaḥ | avidhyann niśitair bāṇaiś caturbhiś caturō hayān ||
तमेकं सत्यकर्माणमासाद्य हृदिकात्मजः। अविध्यन्निशितैर्बाणैश्चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in war, actions are judged through the lens of dharma: skill and force are real, but the narrative keeps attention on character—Sātyaki is marked as satyakarmā (truthful in deed), while the episode shows how quickly righteous warriors can be tested by tactical violence.
Kṛtavarmā closes in on Sātyaki and, using four sharp arrows, wounds the four horses of Sātyaki’s chariot—an attempt to hinder or immobilize him in the ongoing battle.