Shloka 12
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
वे विषधर सर्पोंके समान भयंकर बाणोंद्वारा राजा युधिष्ठिरको पीड़ित करके पुनः भीमसेनकी ओर दौड़े और उन्हें अपने बाणोंकी वर्षासे आच्छादित करने लगे ।। तस्य तल्लाघवं दृष्टवा तथैव च कृतास्त्रताम् । अपूजयन्ननीकानि परेषां तावकानि च,उनकी वह फुर्ती और अस्त्रविद्याका ज्ञान देखकर आपके और शत्रुपक्षके सैनिकोंने भी उनकी भूरि-भूरि प्रशंसा की
sañjaya uvāca | te viṣadhara-sarpāṇāṃ samānā bhayaṅkaraiḥ bāṇaiḥ rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraṃ pīḍayitvā punaḥ bhīmasenasyaiva abhyadravan, taṃ ca svabāṇa-varṣeṇa samantād ācchādayām āsuḥ || tasya tallāghavaṃ dṛṣṭvā tathaiva ca kṛtāstratām | apūjayann anīkāni pareṣāṃ tāvakāni ca ||
Sañjaya said: With dreadful arrows like venomous serpents, they tormented King Yudhiṣṭhira; then they rushed again toward Bhīmasena and began to cover him on all sides with a shower of arrows. Seeing his swiftness and his mastery of weapons, the troops—both yours and those of the opposing side—praised him greatly. In the midst of war’s cruelty, even enemies acknowledge excellence, showing that valor and skill can command respect beyond factional hatred.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, excellence in discipline and skill can elicit respect from both sides; the verse highlights a warrior-ethic where valor and mastery (lāghava, kṛtāstratā) are acknowledged beyond partisan loyalty, hinting at an ethical space for honor even in war.
After wounding and pressuring King Yudhiṣṭhira with deadly arrows, the attackers turn and charge Bhīma, covering him with an arrow-shower. Observing Bhīma’s agility and weapon-mastery, soldiers from both the Kaurava and Pāṇḍava ranks praise him.