Shloka 40
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
तत्राक्षर्यमपश्याम घोररूप॑ विशाम्पते । शल्येन सड़ता: शूरा यदयुध्यन्त भागश:,प्रजानाथ! वहाँ हमने यह भयंकर आश्वर्यकी बात देखी कि पृथक्ू-पृथक् दल बनाकर आये हुए सभी शूरवीर अकेले शल्यके साथ ही जूझते रहे
tatrāścaryam apaśyāma ghorarūpaṁ viśāmpate | śalyena saṅgatāḥ śūrā yad ayudhyanta bhāgaśaḥ ||
Sañjaya sprach: Dort sahen wir ein schauriges Wunder, o Herr der Völker: Die Helden, die in getrennten Abteilungen gekommen waren, kämpften der Reihe nach—jeder stellte sich Shalya allein.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary prowess and battlefield circumstance can draw many warriors into single combat against one formidable leader, underscoring the ethical weight of leadership in war and the awe (āścarya) such moments evoke even in seasoned observers.
Sañjaya reports to the king that a terrifyingly astonishing scene occurred: warriors arriving in separate groups did not collectively overwhelm Śalya; instead, they engaged him separately, each division or hero fighting him in turn.