Shloka 53

Devanagari script

चक्ररक्षे हते शल्य: पाण्डवेन महात्मना

Transliteration

cakrarakṣe hate śalyaḥ pāṇḍavena mahātmanā

Translation

Sanjaya said: When the warrior who guarded the wheel-formation (cakra-vyūha) was slain by the great-souled Pandava, Shalya’s resolve was shaken—an ominous turn in the battle.

Word by Word

• चक्ररक्षे: in (the) wheel-guard/protector (i.e., in the one protecting the wheel)
• चक्ररक्षे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्ररक्ष
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• हते: when slain / upon being killed
• हते: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (हत)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• शल्यः: Shalya
• शल्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शल्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पाण्डवेन: by the Pandava
• पाण्डवेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• महात्मना: by the great-souled (one)
• महात्मना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Śalya
• Pāṇḍava
• cakra (wheel) formation

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how the fall of a single strategic defender can unravel an entire formation, reminding leaders that dharma in war includes vigilance, protection of one’s troops, and responsibility for the consequences of command decisions.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the warrior assigned to guard the cakra (wheel) battle-array has been killed by a Pāṇḍava. This loss signals a tactical breach and sets the stage for Śalya’s reaction and the ensuing shifts in the battle.