Shloka 37
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
गोविन्दवाक्यं त्वरितं विचिन्त्य दश्ने मतिं शल्यविनाशनाय । स धर्मराजो निहताश्वसूतो रथे तिष्ठन् शक्तिमेवा भ्यकाड्क्षत्,उस समय श्रीकृष्णके वचनको स्मरण करके उन्होंने शीघ्र ही शल्यको मार डालनेका निश्चय किया। धर्मराजके घोड़े और सारथि तो मारे ही जा चुके थे केवल रथ शेष था; अतः उसीपर खड़े होकर उन्होंने शल्यपर शक्तिके ही प्रयोगका विचार किया
govindavākyaṁ tvaritaṁ vicintya daśne matiṁ śalyavināśanāya | sa dharmarājo nihatāśvasūto rathe tiṣṭhan śaktim evābhyakāṅkṣat ||
Recalling Govinda’s words and reflecting on them swiftly, Dharmarāja steeled his resolve to bring about Śalya’s destruction. His horses and charioteer had already been slain, leaving only the chariot; standing upon it, he fixed his intent on using the spear-weapon against Śalya—an act shaped by counsel, necessity, and the grim ethics of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ruler devoted to dharma must sometimes act decisively in war when guided by right counsel and compelled by circumstance; ethical action here is framed as resolute fulfillment of duty rather than hesitation born of fear or confusion.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s advice, quickly resolves to kill Śalya. With his horses and charioteer already dead, he stands on the remaining chariot and prepares to employ the śakti (spear/javelin) against Śalya.