Shloka 12
Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
पाण्डवा अपि भूपाल समरे जितकाशिन: । मद्रराजं समासाद्य बिभिदुर्निशितै: शरै:,भूपाल! समरमें विजयसे सुशोभित होनेवाले पाण्डव भी मद्रराज शल्यके निकट जाकर उन्हें अपने पैने बाणोंसे बींधने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | pāṇḍavā api bhūpāla samare jitakāśinaḥ | madrarājaṃ samāsādya bibhidur niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ||
Sañjaya said: O king, the Pāṇḍavas too—radiant with the confidence of victory in battle—closed in upon Śalya, the king of Madra, and began to pierce him with their sharp arrows. The scene underscores the relentless momentum of war: even renowned warriors are pressed without pause, as martial duty and the drive for triumph override personal regard.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the inexorable nature of kṣatriya-duty in war: once battle is joined, even eminent figures like Śalya are treated as combatants to be overcome. It reflects how the pursuit of victory and adherence to martial obligation can eclipse personal ties and softenings of sentiment.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that the Pāṇḍavas, emboldened and shining with the prospect of victory, advance toward Śalya (the Madra king) and wound him with sharp arrows, intensifying the combat around him.