Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 33
शकुनिवधः — Sahadeva’s Slaying of Śakuni
with Ulūka’s fall
प्रासेन सहदेवस्य शिरसि प्राहरद् भृूशम् । नरेश्वर! घोड़ेकी पीठपर बैठा हुआ आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन सहदेवके सामने आया। उसने बड़े यत्नसे सहदेवके मस्तकपर शीघ्रतापूर्वक प्रासका प्रहार किया ।।
sañjaya uvāca | prāsena sahadevasya śirasi prāharad bhṛśam | nareśvara! ghodekī pīṭhapar baiṭhā huā āpakā putra duryodhana sahadeva ke sāmane āyā | usne baṛe yatna se sahadeva ke mastak par śīghratāpūrvak prāsa kā prahāra kiyā || sopāviśad rathopasthe tava putreṇa tāḍitaḥ |
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh rey, tu hijo Duryodhana, montado a caballo, avanzó para enfrentar a Sahadeva. Con gran fuerza y premura lo hirió en la cabeza con una lanza. Herido por el golpe de tu hijo, Sahadeva se desplomó sobre el asiento del carro de guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of righteous war: a warrior must face sudden, violent reversals with steadiness. It also reflects the ethical tension of kṣatriya-dharma—valor and persistence are demanded even when injury and fear threaten to overwhelm.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana rides up to confront Sahadeva and strikes him on the head with a spear. The blow is so severe that Sahadeva, wounded, collapses/sits down on the chariot-seat.