Shloka 5
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
शकुनिं सहदेवस्तु सहसैन्यमवाकिरत् । नकुल: पार्श्वतः स्थित्वा मद्रराजमवैक्षत,सहदेवने सेनासहित शकुनिको बाणोंसे आच्छादित कर दिया। नकुल पास ही खड़े होकर मद्रराजकी ओर देख रहे थे
śakuniṃ sahadevas tu sahasainyam avākirat | nakulaḥ pārśvataḥ sthitvā madrarājam avaikṣata ||
Sañjaya said: Sahadeva showered Śakuni—together with his troops—with a dense hail of arrows, covering him over. Nakula, standing close by, kept his gaze fixed on the king of Madra, watching him intently as the battle’s next moral and tactical turn approached.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield ethic of the Mahābhārata, a warrior must act decisively against an immediate threat (Sahadeva’s arrow-shower) while maintaining alertness to larger strategic dangers (Nakula’s vigilant watch on Śalya). Duty is shown as both action and disciplined attention.
Sañjaya reports that Sahadeva overwhelms Śakuni and his accompanying forces with a barrage of arrows, effectively covering them. At the same time, Nakula stands nearby and watches the king of Madra (Śalya), anticipating his movements in the unfolding combat.