Shloka 54
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
तस्य तच्चरितं दृष्ट्वा संग्रामे भीमकर्मण: । वित्रेसुस्तावका: सर्वे शल्यस्त्वेनं समभ्ययात्
tasya tac-caritaṃ dṛṣṭvā saṅgrāme bhīma-karmaṇaḥ | vitresus tāvakāḥ sarve śalyas tv enaṃ samabhyayāt ||
サンジャヤは言った。「戦場において、恐るべき業を成す者のあの大いなる武勲を見て、陛下の軍勢はことごとく恐怖に震えた。だがシャリヤはまっすぐ彼に迫り、攻めかかった。」
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible courage and prowess can shift the moral balance of an army—fear spreads quickly, yet a resolute leader may counter it by taking decisive action. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of meeting danger directly rather than yielding to panic.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira’s formidable performance in battle causes the Kaurava troops to tremble, but Śalya moves forward to confront and attack him, attempting to check that surge of Pandava momentum.