Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 38
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
स रथे5तिरथस्तिष्ठन् रथशक्ति परामृशत्
sa rathe 'tirathas tiṣṭhan rathaśaktiṃ parāmṛśat
Sañjaya said: Standing firm upon his chariot like a foremost warrior, he grasped the chariot-spear, readying himself for the next decisive strike amid the relentless duties of battle.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethic of preparedness and resolve: in the chaos of war, a warrior must remain steady, choose the appropriate weapon, and act decisively—discipline and readiness being central to martial dharma.
Sanjaya narrates that a leading warrior, standing on his chariot, takes up a rathaśakti (a chariot-spear/javelin), signaling an imminent attack or a critical turn in the ongoing combat.
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