Shloka 83
Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)
केंचुलसे छूटकर निकले हुए सर्पके समान प्रतीत होनेवाली उस शक्तिने शल्यके रथपर पहुँचकर उनके सारथिको मार डाला और उसे रथसे नीचे गिरा दिया ।। ततो विराटद्रुपदौ धृष्टकेतुर्युधिष्ठिर: । सात्यकि: केकया भीमो धृष्टद्युम्मशिखण्डिनौ
keñculase chūṭakara nikale hue sarpake samāna pratīta honevālī us śaktine śalyake rathapara pahuṁcakara unake sārathiko māra ḍālā aura use rathase nīce girā diyā || tato virāṭa-drupadau dhṛṣṭaketuryudhiṣṭhiraḥ | sātyakiḥ kekayā bhīmo dhṛṣṭadyumna-śikhaṇḍinau ||
サンジャヤは言った。「その槍は、脱け殻を抜け出た蛇のごとく見え、シャリヤの戦車に達して御者を討ち、車上から地へと投げ落とした。ついでヴィラータとドルパダ、ドリシュタケートゥとユディシュティラ、サーティヤキ、ケーカヤの軍勢、ビーマ、さらにドリシュタデュムナとシカンディンが、戦の渦へと進み出た。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the swift, impersonal consequences of warfare: a single well-aimed weapon can abruptly end a life and shift the balance of battle. Ethically, it highlights the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between kṣatriya-duty in war and the tragic cost borne even by supporting figures like charioteers.
A spear-weapon, described with a vivid serpent-like simile, strikes Śalya’s chariot and kills his charioteer, causing him to fall. Immediately after, a group of prominent Pāṇḍava-aligned warriors—Virāṭa, Drupada, Dhṛṣṭaketu, Yudhiṣṭhira, Sātyaki, the Kekayas, Bhīma, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Śikhaṇḍin—move forward, indicating a renewed surge in the battle.