Shloka 43
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
उत्तरं वै हतं दृष्टवा वैराटिग्भरातरं तदा । कृतवर्मणा च सहित दृष्टवा शल्यमवस्थितम्
uttaraṃ vai hataṃ dṛṣṭvā vairāṭi-bhrātaraṃ tadā | kṛtavarmaṇā ca sahitaṃ dṛṣṭvā śalyam avasthitam ||
Kemudian, melihat Uttara—saudara sang putri Virāṭa—telah gugur, dan melihat Śalya berdiri teguh bersama Kṛtavarman, (suasana perang kian muram dan mengeras).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of war: even noble lineages and youthful princes fall, while veteran warriors remain steadfast. It implicitly points to the Mahābhārata’s recurring reflection that victory and loss in battle carry profound human cost, testing resolve and dharma.
Sañjaya reports that Uttara, the brother of the Virāṭa princess (Uttarā), has been killed. At the same time, he notes Śalya standing in position, accompanied by Kṛtavarman—marking a shift in the battlefield situation as key figures are seen and assessed.