Adhyāya 21 — Duryodhanasya bāṇavarṣaḥ
Duryodhana’s Arrow-Storm and the Dust-Obscured Engagements
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता: पउचाला भरतर्षभ | शिनेर्नप्ता महाबाहुरन्वपद्यत सात्यकि:,भरतश्रेष्ठ] उनकी उस गर्जनासे पांचाल-सैनिक थर्रा उठे। उस समय शिनिपौत्र महाबाहु सात्यकि उन शत्रुओंका सामना करनेके लिये आये
tena śabdena vitrastāḥ pāñcālā bharatarṣabha | śiner naptā mahābāhur anvapadyata sātyakiḥ ||
सञ्जय उवाच—तेन सिंहनादशब्देन पाञ्चालाः सत्रवो भीताः कम्पिताः, हे भरतर्षभ। तदा शिनेर्नप्ताऽसौ महाबाहुः सात्यकिः शत्रून् प्रत्यभ्यपतत्, तान् समभ्यवर्तत।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights battlefield ethics of kṣatriya conduct: fear can spread through an army, but a steadfast champion counters it by stepping forward to face danger, restoring resolve through courageous action.
A thunderous roar (from an opposing warrior or force) frightens the Pāñcāla troops. In response, Sātyaki—renowned for valor—moves forward to confront the enemy and meet the threat directly.