Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 30
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
प्रगृह्दा खड॒गं च रथान्महात्मा प्रस्कन्द्य कुन्तीसुतमभ्यधावत् । छित्त्वा रथेषां नकुलस्य सो5थ युधिष्ठिरें भीमबलो<5भ्यधावत्
pragṛhya khaḍgaṃ ca rathān mahātmā praskandya kuntīsutam abhyadhāvat | chittvā ratheṣāṃ nakulasya so 'tha yudhiṣṭhire bhīmabalo 'bhyadhāvat ||
Sañjaya said: Taking up his sword, the high-souled Śalya leapt down from his chariot and rushed toward the son of Kuntī. Having then cut down Nakula’s chariot-gear, the mighty-armed warrior charged straight at Yudhiṣṭhira.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how quickly advantage shifts in war: once protection is breached, a warrior presses the opening. Ethically, it points to the tension within kṣatriya-dharma—decisive action in battle—while reminding that leadership (Yudhiṣṭhira) is tested by sudden, escalating threats.
Śalya, taking up his sword, jumps down from his chariot and charges a son of Kuntī. He then cuts down Nakula’s chariot-gear and immediately rushes to attack Yudhiṣṭhira, intensifying the assault on the Pāṇḍava side.
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