Shloka 31
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
शल्यस्तु नकुलं वीर: स्वस्त्रीयं प्रियमात्मन: । विव्याध प्रहसन् बाणैलॉालयन् कोपयन्निव,वीर राजा शल्यने अपने प्यारे भानजे नकुलको हँसकर लाड़ लड़ाते और कुपित करते हुए-से अनेक बाणोंद्वारा बींध डाला
śalyas tu nakulaṃ vīraḥ svastrīyaṃ priyam ātmanaḥ | vivyādha prahasan bāṇair lālayan kopayann iva ||
Sañjaya said: The valiant Śalya, though Nakula was his own beloved sister’s son, pierced him with many arrows—smiling as he fought, as if playfully indulging him and at the same time provoking him to anger. The scene underscores the harsh ethic of the battlefield, where kinship yields to the warrior’s duty and the demands of the war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the tension between familial affection and kṣatriya duty: even a beloved nephew may be treated as an opponent in war, where one must uphold one’s role and obligations despite personal ties.
Sañjaya describes Śalya engaging Nakula in battle. Śalya strikes Nakula with many arrows while smiling—portrayed as if he were both fondly indulging him and deliberately provoking him, intensifying the duel.