Shloka 2
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
परिवार्य रथै: शल्यं पीडयामासुराहवे । संजय कहते हैं--आर्य! जब मद्रराज शल्य धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरको पीड़ा देने लगे, तब सात्यकि, भीमसेन और माद्रीपुत्र पाण्डव नकुल-सहदेवने युद्धस्थलमें शल्यको रथोंद्वारा घेरकर उन्हें पीड़ा देना प्रारम्भ किया ।। तमेकं बहुभिद्दृष्टया पीड्यमानं महारथै:,अकेले शल्यको अनेक महारथियोंद्वारा पीड़ित होते देख उनको सब ओरसे महान् साधुवाद प्राप्त होने लगा। वहाँ एकत्र हुए सिद्ध और महर्षि भी हर्षमें भरकर बोल उठे --आश्चर्य है!
parivārya rathaiḥ śalyaṃ pīḍayāmāsur āhave | taṃ ekaṃ bahubhir dṛṣṭvā pīḍyamānaṃ mahārathaiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In the midst of battle they surrounded Śalya with their chariots and began to press him hard. Seeing Śalya alone, harried by many great chariot-warriors, loud acclaim rose from every side; and the gathered Siddhas and great seers, filled with joy, cried, “Wonderful!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how valor and steadfastness in the face of overwhelming opposition earn public and even celestial praise, reflecting the epic’s emphasis on kṣatriya-dharma and the social valuation of courage—while also keeping visible the moral tension of many assailing one renowned warrior.
As Śalya troubles Yudhiṣṭhira in battle, Sātyaki, Bhīma, and the twin sons of Mādrī (Nakula and Sahadeva) encircle Śalya with their chariots and attack him. Observers—Siddhas and great seers—marvel and applaud at the spectacle of Śalya standing alone against many mahārathas.