Shloka 186
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
आरुरोह महाबाहु: सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यत: । विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध करनेवाले महाबाहु नकुल परिश्रमको जीत चुके थे। वे सारी सेनाके देखते-देखते चित्रसेनके रथके समीप जा उसपर चढ़ गये
sañjaya uvāca |
āruroha mahābāhuḥ sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ |
Sañjaya said: In full view of the entire army, the mighty-armed warrior mounted up. Nakula, fighting with varied and wondrous skill, had already conquered fatigue; and before all the troops, he went up to Citrasena’s chariot and climbed onto it.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial virtue (kṣātra-tejas) is demonstrated openly: decisive action taken under the gaze of many becomes a test of steadiness, courage, and responsibility, influencing collective morale and the ethical perception of one’s conduct in war.
Sañjaya reports that a mighty warrior mounts up (typically onto a chariot) as the entire army watches, marking a conspicuous, morale-charged moment in the battle sequence.