Shloka 616
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
धनुश्लास्य शिताग्रेण बाणेन निरकृन्तत । युद्ध करते समय युधिष्ठिरके लिये सब कुछ प्रदक्षिण (अनुकूल) हो रहा था। तदनन्तर शल्यने युधिष्ठिरपर सौ बाणोंका प्रहार किया तथा तीखी धारवाले बाणसे उनके धनुषको भी काट दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
dhanuḥ ślāṣya śitāgreṇa bāṇena nirakṛntata |
Sañjaya dit : D’une flèche à la pointe acérée, il trancha la corde et abattit l’arc. En cet instant, dans la mêlée, tout semblait tourner à l’avantage de Yudhiṣṭhira ; mais aussitôt Śalya le frappa de cent flèches et, d’un trait au tranchant vif, coupa aussi son arc — montrant combien vite la fortune bascule à la guerre, et combien la constance doit tenir même lorsque l’avantage paraît acquis.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when circumstances appear favorable, conflict can reverse in an instant; the ethical emphasis is on steadiness (dhairya) and disciplined resolve in fulfilling one’s duty amid uncertainty, rather than relying on momentary advantage.
In the battle, Śalya disrupts Yudhiṣṭhira’s fighting capacity by severing the bow-string/bow with a sharp arrow, then follows up with a heavy volley—described as a hundred arrows—intensifying the duel and testing Yudhiṣṭhira’s composure.