Shloka 19
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
निवृत्य तु महावीर्यों समुच्छितमहागदौ । पुनरन्तरमार्गस्थौ मण्डलानि विचेरतु:,महापराक्रमी भीमसेन और शल्य दोनों वीर अपनी विशाल गदाओंको ऊपर उठाये कभी पीछे लौट पड़ते, कभी मध्यम मार्गमें स्थित होते और कभी मण्डलाकार घूमने लगते थे
nivṛtya tu mahāvīryau samucchita-mahāgadau | punar antara-mārga-sthau maṇḍalāni viceratuḥ ||
সঞ্জয় বললেন—তারপর সেই দুই মহাবীর—ভীমসেন ও শল্য—বিশাল গদা উঁচিয়ে কখনও পিছিয়ে গেলেন, কখনও মধ্যপথে স্থির রইলেন, আবার কখনও বৃত্তাকারে ঘুরতে লাগলেন—সুযোগের সন্ধানে পরস্পরকে মেপে দেখে।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the verse highlights controlled conduct—strategic withdrawal, holding position, and circling to find an opening—reflecting kṣatriya discipline where skill and restraint guide action rather than uncontrolled rage.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena and Śalya in a mace duel: both lift their heavy maces, sometimes retreat, sometimes stay in the middle line, and sometimes move in circles (maṇḍalas) as they test each other and seek a decisive strike.