Shloka 25
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
युद्धविषयक कार्यविशेषके ज्ञाता वे दोनों वीर अविचलभावसे रणभूमिमें डटे हुए थे। वे एक-दूसरेपर क्रोधपूर्वक गदाओंका प्रहार करके अत्यन्त घायल हो गये और दो इन्द्रध्वजोंके समान एक ही साथ पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़े। उस समय दोनों सेनाओंके वीर हाहाकार करने लगे ।।
bhṛśaṁ marmāṇy abhihatāv ubhāv astāṁ suvihvalau | tataḥ sva-ratham āropya madrāṇām ṛṣabhaṁ raṇe ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Ambos campeones, conocedores de los pormenores de la guerra, permanecían firmes en el campo de batalla con ánimo inquebrantable. Encolerizados, se asestaron golpes de maza uno a otro, quedaron gravemente heridos y cayeron a la vez sobre la tierra, como dos estandartes de Indra que se desploman. Entonces los héroes de ambos ejércitos prorrumpieron en un clamor de angustia. Heridos en sus puntos vitales, los dos quedaron aturdidos; y luego, en medio del combate, alzaron al “toro de los Madras” y lo subieron de nuevo a su propio carro.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the harsh reality of kṣatriya warfare: prowess and anger culminate in grievous injury, yet the battlefield code still compels immediate practical duty—securing and supporting a fallen leader. It highlights how dharma in war can coexist with, but cannot erase, the suffering produced by violence.
Two warriors have been struck in their vital points and are left stunned and incapacitated. In the ensuing moment, the foremost man of the Madras is lifted and placed onto his own chariot amid the ongoing battle, while the surrounding forces react with loud cries.