Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 56
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
मद्रराजं महेष्वासं परिवार्य समन्ततः । स्थिता राजन् महासेना योद्धुकामा समन्ततः,नरेश्वरर आपकी विशाल सेना महाथधनुर्थर मद्रराज शल्यको चारों ओरसे घेरकर शत्रुओंके साथ युद्धके लिये खड़ी हो गयी
madrarājaṁ maheṣvāsaṁ parivārya samantataḥ | sthitā rājan mahāsenā yoddhukāmā samantataḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O King, your vast army, eager to fight, stood all around—having completely surrounded Śalya, the Madra king, that great archer—ready for battle on every side.
संजय उवाच
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The verse highlights the harsh momentum of war and the kṣatriya world where martial prowess and strategic positioning dominate; even eminent warriors become targets of collective pressure, reminding readers of the impersonal, escalating nature of conflict and the burdens of royal decisions.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the king’s large army has taken positions all around Śalya, the Madra king and famed archer, encircling him and standing ready to engage in battle from every side.
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