Mahabharata 9.23.85 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 23, Shloka 85
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
मन्दीभूते तत: शब्दे पाण्डवानां महद् बलम् | अल्पावशिष्टैस्तुरगैरभ्यवर्तत सौबल:
mandībhūte tataḥ śabde pāṇḍavānāṃ mahad balam | alpāvaśiṣṭais turagair abhyavartata saubalaḥ ||
When the tumult of battle had somewhat subsided, Śakuni—the son of Subala—charged again at the mighty host of the Pāṇḍavas, accompanied only by the few horsemen who still remained to him.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how, in war, hostility can re-ignite even after a lull; persistence in violence may arise from stubborn resolve and dwindling resources, inviting reflection on the ethical cost of continuing conflict when the situation has already turned grim.
As the battlefield noise lessens, Śakuni (Subala’s son) gathers the few remaining cavalry and launches another assault against the large Pāṇḍava force, as reported by Sañjaya.
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