Shloka 30
Adhyāya 65: Dawn Assembly, Makara–Śyena Vyūhas, and Commander Engagements
तत: शल्यो महाराज स्वस््त्रीयौ रथिनां वरौ,महाराज! तदनन्तर शल्यने किये हुए प्रहारका बदला चुकानेकी इच्छा रखनेवाले रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अपने दोनों भानजोंको अनेक बाणोंसे पीड़ित किया। उनके बाणोंसे आच्छादित होनेपर भी नकुल-सहदेव विचलित नहीं हुए
tataḥ śalyo mahārāja svastriyau rathināṃ varau | mahārāja tad-anantaraṃ śalyena kṛte prahārasya badalaṃ cukānecchayā rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ svaubhau bhānjau anekaiḥ bāṇaiḥ pīḍitavān | teṣāṃ bāṇair ācchāditau api nakula-sahadevau na vicacālau |
Sañjaya said: Then, O King, Śalya struck his two sister’s sons—those foremost of chariot-warriors. Thereafter, the best among the chariot-fighters, eager to repay the blow dealt by Śalya, tormented his two nephews with many arrows. Yet, though covered by those shafts, Nakula and Sahadeva did not waver.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya steadiness under attack: even when struck repeatedly, a warrior should not lose composure. It also shows how the impulse to ‘repay a blow’ drives escalation in war, raising ethical awareness about retaliation and self-control amid violence.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya engages Nakula and Sahadeva (his sister’s sons). In response to Śalya’s strike, a leading chariot-warrior seeks to return the injury and showers the two brothers with many arrows; despite being covered by shafts, Nakula and Sahadeva remain unshaken.