Shloka 43
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
नकुलं विरथं दृष्टवा द्रौपदेयो महारथम्
nakulaṁ virathaṁ dṛṣṭvā draupadeyo mahāratham
サञ्जयは言った。ナクーラが戦車を失ったのを見て、ドラウパディーの子――大車戦の勇者――が（彼に対するため）進み出た。この一句は戦場の掟を示す。戦車を失うなどの脆さが露わになった瞬間こそ決定的であり、強敵も味方も等しくその一点に引き寄せられるのである。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key battlefield value in epic warfare: the condition of being 'viratha' (without a chariot) marks a critical vulnerability. It frames how warriors respond to shifts in advantage and disadvantage, raising ethical questions about protection, fairness, and the duty of powerful fighters in moments of another’s exposure.
Sañjaya reports that Nakula is seen to be without his chariot. In response, a Draupadeya—described as a mahāratha—takes notice and moves into the action, setting up the next beat of combat involving Nakula and the son of Draupadī.