Shloka 616
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
अपश्याम महाराज मेघजालमिवोदगतम् । महाराज! तदनन्तर हमलोगोंने पाण्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिरकी छातीपर बाणोंका जाल-सा बिछा हुआ देखा, मानो आकाशमें मेघोंकी घटा घिर आयी हो
apaśyāma mahārāja meghajālam ivodgatam |
قال سانجيا: «أيها الملك العظيم، رأيناه كأن شبكةً من السحاب قد ارتفعت. ثم رأينا يودهيشتيرا ابن باندو وقد انبسط على صدره نسيجٌ من السهام، كأن كتلةً كثيفةً من الغيوم قد تجمّعت في السماء».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of war: even a righteous king like Yudhiṣṭhira is not spared pain. Dharma in such a context is shown as steadfast endurance and commitment to duty amid unavoidable suffering, rather than the absence of harm.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that they saw Yudhiṣṭhira’s chest covered with a dense spread of arrows. The scene is described through a simile—like a mass or net of clouds rising in the sky—emphasizing the intensity of the missile assault.