Shloka 28
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception
तत: शल्यो महावीरो मद्रराजो महाबल: । तदप्यारोप्यमाणस्तु जानुभ्यामगमन्महीम्,तत्पश्चात् महावीर एवं महाबली मद्रराज शल्य आये। पर उन्होंने भी उस धनुषको चढ़ाते समय धरतीपर घुटने टेक दिये
tataḥ śalyo mahāvīro madrarājo mahābalaḥ | tad apy āropyamāṇas tu jānubhyām agaman mahīm ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: Darauf kam Śalya, der große Held — König von Madra, ein Mann von ungeheurer Kraft —; doch auch er sank, als er versuchte, jenen Bogen zu bespannen, auf die Knie zur Erde.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest and most renowned can meet limits when faced with an exceptional challenge; true excellence requires not only power but the specific skill and steadiness demanded by dharmic tests of capability.
Śalya, famed as a mighty warrior and king of Madra, attempts to string/raise the bow, but while doing so he drops to his knees on the ground, indicating he cannot complete the feat with ease.