Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 35
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
असोौ सुबलपुत्रो नो जघन॑ पीड्य दंशित: । सैन्यानि सूदयत्येष पश्य पाण्डव दुर्मतिम्
asau subalaputro no jaghanaṁ pīḍya daṁśitaḥ | sainyāni sūdayatyeṣa paśya pāṇḍava durmatim ||
Sañjaya dit : «Regarde, ô fils de Pāṇḍu ! Ce Śakuni, fils de Subala, s’est armé et, frappant l’arrière de notre armée, la harcèle et massacre les troupes. Vois cet homme à l’esprit mauvais !»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battlefield success without righteousness as morally tainted: Śakuni’s effectiveness is described through the ethical lens of durmati (evil intent), implying that tactical prowess divorced from dharma becomes blameworthy and destructive.
Sañjaya reports that Śakuni, fully armed, is attacking the rear of the Kuru forces, causing panic and heavy casualties; he urges the addressed Pāṇḍava to notice and respond to this dangerous, unscrupulous assault.