Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 36
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
गच्छ त्व॑ द्रौपदेयैश्न शकुनिं सौबलं जहि । रथानीकमहं धक्ष्ये पाज्चालसहितो5नघ
gaccha tvaṃ draupadeyaiḥ saha śakuniṃ saubalaṃ jahi | rathānīkam ahaṃ dhakṣye pāñcālasahito 'nagha ||
Sañjaya dit : «Va, avec les fils de Draupadī, et abats Śakuni, fils de Subala. Quant à moi, accompagné des guerriers de Pāñcāla, je demeurerai ici et je réduirai en cendres cette armée de chars ennemie.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the midst of war, the verse highlights disciplined delegation and coordinated duty: remove a decisive instigator (Śakuni) while simultaneously containing the enemy’s main chariot force. Ethically, it reflects the grim logic of kṣatriya-dharma—acting decisively for one’s side, yet acknowledging the heavy moral stakes of violence.
A commander issues battlefield instructions: one party is sent with Draupadī’s sons to kill Śakuni (a key Kaurava strategist), while the speaker’s side, supported by the Pāñcālas, stays to confront and ‘burn up’ the enemy chariot formation—i.e., to rout or destroy that division.