Shloka 11
रथनागाश्वकलिलां पुरस्कृत्य तु वाहिनीम् । मद्राणामी श्वर: शल्यो वीक्षमाणो5पयाद् भयात्,मद्रराज शल्य भी रथ, हाथी और घोड़ोंसे भरी हुई अपनी सेनाको आगे करके भयके मारे इधर-उधर देखते हुए भागने लगे
rathanāgāśvakalilāṃ puraskṛtya tu vāhinīm | madrāṇām īśvaraḥ śalyo vīkṣamāṇo 'payād bhayāt ||
Sañjaya said: Placing his army—thick with chariots, elephants, and horses—out in front, Śalya, the lord of the Madras, withdrew in fear, glancing about in all directions as he fled.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in warfare: a ruler is expected to show steadiness and protect his forces, yet fear can overwhelm even the mighty. It implicitly contrasts kṣatriya resolve with human vulnerability, showing how panic can lead to retreat and disordered leadership.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya, king of the Madras, puts his troop formation—packed with chariots, elephants, and horses—forward and then withdraws, looking around anxiously, fleeing due to fear amid the battle conditions.