Shloka 12
भीष्मस्य मण्डलव्यूहः — Bhīṣma’s Maṇḍala Battle-Formation and the Opening Engagements
उन बाणोंका स्पर्श मृत्युके तुल्य था। राजन्! उस समय सात्यकिके साथ आये हुए सैनिक उन सायकोंका वेग न सह सके। नरेश्वर! युद्धभूमिमें वे रण-दुर्मद सात्यकिको वहीं छोड़कर सब ओर भाग निकले ।।
tān bāṇānāṃ sparśo mṛtyu-tulya āsa | rājan! tadā sātyaki-sahāgatāḥ sainikās teṣāṃ sāyakānāṃ vegaṃ na soḍhum aśaknuvan | nareśvara! raṇa-durmadās te yuddha-bhūmau yuyudhānaṃ tatraiva parityajya sarvato vidudruvuḥ || taṃ dṛṣṭvā yuyudhānasya sutā daśa mahābalāḥ | mahārathāḥ samākhyātāś citra-varmāyudha-dhvajāḥ ||
三阇耶说道：那些箭矢的触及，便如死亡本身。大王啊，当时随萨底耶迦而来的军士，承受不住那箭雨的猛势。人中之主，他们因战意而狂乱，竟将优优陀那（萨底耶迦）弃在战场，当即四散奔逃。见此情形，萨底耶迦的十位儿子——力大无比的勇士，号称摩诃车陀，甲胄、兵刃与旗帜皆辉煌夺目——为护父之责与怒火所驱，迎向敌阵，在战乱的喧嚣中挺身而进。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage contrasts panic-driven self-preservation with the warrior-ethic of standing by one’s leader and kin. It highlights how dharma in war is tested under fear: ordinary troops may break, while those bound by honor and familial duty step forward to protect their own.
Sātyaki’s accompanying soldiers cannot withstand the deadly arrow-volley and flee, leaving him exposed on the battlefield. In response, Sātyaki’s ten powerful sons—renowned as mahārathas—advance toward the enemy, prepared to confront the threat and defend their father.