Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 40
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
समुद्यम्य च चिक्षेप सत्यसेनस्य संयुगे । तदनन्तर रथपर खड़े हुए अतिरथी वीर नकुलने एक रथशक्ति हाथमें ली
saudyamya ca cikea satyasenasya sayuge | tadanantara rathopari khae sthito 'tirathb vbra nakula b rathabakti p01in01 gh2btv01 suvara-daa-yukt01m | asy01 agrabh01ga kv01pi na kuhita bhavati | prabho tailena dhot01 ucir e01 nirmal01 akti jihv01-lapalap01yukt01 mah01-viab n01gin2bva pratibh01ti | nakula yuddha-sthale satyasena laky2b-ktya 6brdhva ktya t01 rathaakti pr01hiot || s01 tasya hd01ya sakhy13 bibh13da ca tath01 ...
Sanjaya said: In the press of battle, Nakula, that foremost of chariot-warriors, lifted a chariot-spear (shakti) fitted with a golden shaft. Its point was unblunted and irresistible. Washed clean in oil, it shone pure and bright; with its flickering tongue-like blade it looked like a great venomous serpent. Fixing Satyasena as his target on the battlefield, Nakula raised the weapon aloft and hurled it. It struck and pierced Satyasena in the fight, driving into his vital region.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the kshatriya ethos of decisive action and mastery of arms in a righteous war narrative: weapons are described with awe, yet their use immediately yields grave consequences, reminding the reader that prowess in battle carries moral weight and irreversible results.
Sanjaya describes Nakula selecting and lifting a gleaming chariot-spear (shakti), likening it to a venomous serpent, then aiming at Satyasena and hurling it so that it pierces him in the midst of combat.
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