Shloka 623
गदाम॒श्रित्य धर्मात्मा प्रत्यमित्रमवैक्षत । अपने प्रहारका भरपूर उत्तर प्राप्त हुआ देख धर्मात्मा शल्यका चित्त आश्वर्यसे चकित हो उठा। वे गदा हाथमें लेकर अपने शत्रुकी ओर देखने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | gadām āśritya dharmātmā pratyamitrām avaikṣata |
Dijo Sañjaya: Empuñando su maza, el guerrero de corazón justo miró hacia el enemigo que tenía enfrente. Al ver que su propio golpe había sido respondido por completo, la mente de Śalya quedó herida por el asombro y permaneció atónito—maza en mano, con la mirada fija en el adversario.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, the epic frames warriors through the lens of dharma: a ‘dharmātmā’ is expected to act with steadiness and ethical awareness. The moment highlights disciplined attention—recognizing a justly met counterstroke without losing composure.
In the midst of battle, Śalya—described as dharmātmā—grips his mace and looks toward his adversary. He is astonished because he sees that his own strike has been fully answered by a powerful counterblow, prompting a stunned, focused appraisal of the enemy.