Shloka 18
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
भागो<5वशिष्ट एको<5यं मम शल्यो महारथ: । सो5हमद्य युधा जेतुमाशंसे मद्रकाधिपम्,“अब एकमात्र महारथी शल्य शेष रह गये हैं, जो मेरे हिस्सेमें पड़ गये हैं। अत: आज मैं इन मद्रराज शल्यको युद्धमें जीतनेकी आशा करता हूँ
bhāgo 'vaśiṣṭa eko 'yaṁ mama śalyo mahārathaḥ | so 'ham adya yudhā jetum āśaṁse madrakādhipam ||
Sañjaya said: “Only one share remains to me—Śalya, the great chariot-warrior. Therefore, today I hope to defeat in battle Śalya, the lord of the Madras.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the warrior ethos of resolve: even when only a single formidable opponent remains, one should meet the situation with determination. It also reflects the idea of ‘allotment’ (bhāga)—events and opponents falling to one’s share—met with purposeful action rather than hesitation.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya is the only great warrior remaining as ‘his share’ to face, and he expresses confidence that he will defeat Śalya, the ruler of the Madra country, in the day’s battle.