Shloka 44
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
सुयुद्धेन पराक्रान्ता नस: स्वर्गमभीप्सव: । सबका लक्ष्य था ब्रह्मलोककी प्राप्ति। वे सभी सैनिक युद्धमें विजय चाहते और उत्तम युद्धके द्वारा पराक्रम दिखाते हुए स्वर्गलोक पानेकी अभिलाषा रखते थे ।। भर्त॒पिण्डविमोक्षार्थ भर्त॒कार्यविनिश्चिता:
saṃjaya uvāca | suyuddhena parākrāntā nṛpaḥ svargam abhīpsavaḥ | sarveṣāṃ lakṣyaṃ brahmalokaprāptiḥ | te sarve sainikā yuddhe vijayaṃ icchantaḥ uttamena yuddhena parākramaṃ darśayantaḥ svargalokaṃ prāptum abhilaṣanta iti || bhartṛpiṇḍavimokṣārthaṃ bhartṛkāryaviniścitāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “With noble fighting they displayed valor, desiring heaven. Their common aim was the attainment of Brahmaloka. All those warriors sought victory in battle; by engaging in excellent combat and showing their prowess, they longed to win the heavenly world—resolved to fulfill their lord’s purpose and to free themselves from the debt of the sustenance they had received.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battlefield action within a moral economy of duty and consequence: warriors fight ‘well’ (su-yuddha) not merely for victory but to fulfill obligations to their patron/king and to seek higher worlds (Svarga/Brahmaloka). It highlights loyalty, repayment of received support (bhartṛ-piṇḍa), and the belief that righteous valor can lead to exalted posthumous destinations.
Sañjaya describes the mindset of the assembled fighters: they are determined, eager for victory, and intent on demonstrating prowess through excellent combat. Their stated goal is heavenly attainment—especially Brahmaloka—while also being resolved to carry out their lord’s mission and to discharge the ‘debt’ of the sustenance they have accepted.