Shloka 28
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 186 — Drupada’s Summons and the Pāñcāla Reception
तत: शल्यो महावीरो मद्रराजो महाबल: । तदप्यारोप्यमाणस्तु जानुभ्यामगमन्महीम्,तत्पश्चात् महावीर एवं महाबली मद्रराज शल्य आये। पर उन्होंने भी उस धनुषको चढ़ाते समय धरतीपर घुटने टेक दिये
tataḥ śalyo mahāvīro madrarājo mahābalaḥ | tad apy āropyamāṇas tu jānubhyām agaman mahīm ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Śalya, the great hero—king of Madra and a man of immense strength—also, while attempting to string that bow, sank down to the earth upon his knees. The episode underscores that mere fame or royal power is insufficient before a truly extraordinary test; strength must be matched by capability, steadiness, and the fitness demanded by the task.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the strongest and most renowned can meet limits when faced with an exceptional challenge; true excellence requires not only power but the specific skill and steadiness demanded by dharmic tests of capability.
Śalya, famed as a mighty warrior and king of Madra, attempts to string/raise the bow, but while doing so he drops to his knees on the ground, indicating he cannot complete the feat with ease.