Shloka 57
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
अदृश्येतां तदा राजन् कड़कपत्रिभिराचितौ । उद्धिन्नरुधिरी शूरौ मद्रराजयुधिष्ठिरो,राजन! उस समय शूरवीर मद्रराज और युधिष्छिर दोनों कंकपत्रयुक्त बाणोंसे व्याप्त हो खून बहाते दिखायी देते थे
adṛśyetāṁ tadā rājan kaḍakapatribhir ācitau | uddhinnarudhirī śūrau madrarājayudhiṣṭhirau ||
Sañjaya said: O King, at that time the two heroes—the king of Madra and Yudhiṣṭhira—were seen covered with arrows fitted with sharp, hard-edged heads, their bodies streaming with blood. The scene underscores the grim impartiality of battle, where even rulers bound by dharma are forced to endure bodily suffering while pursuing their chosen duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh cost of kṣatriya-duty: even righteous rulers must face physical suffering in war. It implicitly contrasts inner commitment to dharma with the outward brutality of conflict, reminding the listener that moral intention does not remove the painful consequences of battle.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the duel-like encounter where Śalya (the king of Madra) and Yudhiṣṭhira are both visibly pierced by sharp-headed arrows and bleeding, emphasizing the intensity and near-equal ferocity of their combat at that moment.