Shloka 323
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
ववर्षे शरवर्षेण शम्बरं मघवा इव । युद्धकी स्पृहा रखनेवाले शल्य शत्रुदमन धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरपर उसी प्रकार बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे, जैसे शम्बरासुरपर इन्द्र
vavarṣe śaravarṣeṇa śambaraṃ maghavā iva |
Sañjaya berkata: Yudhiṣṭhira, raja yang menegakkan dharma dan penunduk musuh, menghujani Śalya dengan derasnya anak panah—sebagaimana Maghavān (Indra) dahulu menumpahkan hujan panahnya atas raksasa Śambara.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the epic frames action through dharma: Yudhiṣṭhira’s force is portrayed as purposeful and duty-governed, likened to Indra’s cosmic battle against a demonic adversary—suggesting that power should serve order and justice rather than personal rage.
Sañjaya narrates that Yudhiṣṭhira attacks Śalya with an intense barrage of arrows, comparing the onslaught to Indra’s legendary shower of weapons against the asura Śambara.