Shloka 12
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
ततस्तु नकुलः शूरो धर्मराजे प्रपीडिते | अभिदुद्राव वेगेन मातुलं मातृनन्दन:,जब धर्मराज युधिष्ठिर शल्यकी मारसे अत्यन्त पीड़ित हो गये, तब माताको आनन्दित करनेवाले शूरवीर नकुलने बड़े वेगसे अपने मामापर आक्रमण किया
tatastu nakulaḥ śūro dharmarāje prapīḍite | abhidudrāva vegena mātulaṃ mātṛnandanaḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: Luego, cuando el rey Yudhiṣṭhira—firme en el dharma—era oprimido con dureza, el valiente Nakula, deseoso de alegrar a su madre y de sostener el deber de su linaje, cargó a gran velocidad contra su tío materno.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in crisis: when a righteous leader is endangered, a warrior must act decisively to protect him, even when the opponent is a close relative—showing the painful ethical tension between family ties and duty in war.
As Yudhiṣṭhira is being heavily pressured in battle (by Śalya), Nakula swiftly rushes forward to attack his maternal uncle, attempting to relieve the king and turn the tide.