Shloka 623
Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
गदाम॒श्रित्य धर्मात्मा प्रत्यमित्रमवैक्षत । अपने प्रहारका भरपूर उत्तर प्राप्त हुआ देख धर्मात्मा शल्यका चित्त आश्वर्यसे चकित हो उठा। वे गदा हाथमें लेकर अपने शत्रुकी ओर देखने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | gadām āśritya dharmātmā pratyamitrām avaikṣata |
قال سنجيا: أمسك المحارب ذو القلب القويم بمطرقته ونظر إلى خصمه المقابل. فلما رأى أن ضربته قد جُوزيت بردٍّ كامل، اضطرب قلب شاليا دهشةً ووقف مبهوتًا—والمطرقة في يده، وبصره مثبت على العدو أمامه.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, the epic frames warriors through the lens of dharma: a ‘dharmātmā’ is expected to act with steadiness and ethical awareness. The moment highlights disciplined attention—recognizing a justly met counterstroke without losing composure.
In the midst of battle, Śalya—described as dharmātmā—grips his mace and looks toward his adversary. He is astonished because he sees that his own strike has been fully answered by a powerful counterblow, prompting a stunned, focused appraisal of the enemy.