Shloka 49
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
मद्रराजरथं तूर्ण छादयामासतु: क्षणात् | तदनन्तर एक ही रथपर बैठे हुए उन दोनों शूरवीरोंने क्षणभरमें अपने सुदृढ़ धनुषको खींचकर रणभूमिमें मद्रराजके रथको तुरंत ही आच्छादित कर दिया || ४८ है ।।
sa chādyamāno bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ sannatapārva-bhiḥ | bhāgineyaiḥ prayuktaiś ca śalyas tasthau girir yathā ||
Sañjaya berkata: Walau Raja Śalya tertutup rapat oleh hujan anak panah yang tak terbilang—berbuku-buku dan melengkung—yang dilepaskan para keponakannya, sang terbaik di antara manusia itu berdiri teguh laksana gunung, tak terguncang dan tak goyah. Seakan tersenyum meremehkan, ia pun meniadakan hujan senjata itu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfastness and self-mastery in adversity: even when overwhelmed by hostile force, the exemplary warrior remains composed and unwavering, meeting violence with disciplined resilience rather than panic.
Śalya, king of Madra, is struck and visually ‘covered’ by a dense volley of arrows shot by his nephews. Despite the barrage, he stands firm like a mountain and counters the weapon-shower, rendering it ineffective.