Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
ततो युधिष्ठिरश्नापमादायेन्द्रधनुष्प्रभम्
tato yudhiṣṭhiraś cāpaṃ ādāyendradhanuṣprabham
तब युधिष्ठिर ने इन्द्रधनुष के समान चमकता हुआ धनुष उठा लिया—युद्ध के दबावों के बीच राजधर्म निभाने का उनका दृढ़ संकल्प प्रकट हुआ।
संजय उवाच
Even a dharma-minded ruler must sometimes take up arms: the verse highlights disciplined resolve—entering action not from rage, but from responsibility within the moral demands of a just war.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira physically takes up a radiant bow, a vivid cue that he is preparing to engage in the unfolding battle events of the Śalya Parva.