Shloka 616
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
धनुश्लास्य शिताग्रेण बाणेन निरकृन्तत । युद्ध करते समय युधिष्ठिरके लिये सब कुछ प्रदक्षिण (अनुकूल) हो रहा था। तदनन्तर शल्यने युधिष्ठिरपर सौ बाणोंका प्रहार किया तथा तीखी धारवाले बाणसे उनके धनुषको भी काट दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
dhanuḥ ślāṣya śitāgreṇa bāṇena nirakṛntata |
サンジャヤは言った。――鋭い矢で彼は弦を断ち、弓をも断ち切った。その刹那、戦のただ中で万事がユディシュティラに有利へと傾くかに見えた。だが直ちにシャリヤは百の矢でユディシュティラを射抜き、さらに刃のごとく鋭い矢でその弓をも切り落とした――戦場の運がいかに速く移ろうか、そして優勢に見える時でさえ不屈の堅忍が要ることを示していた。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when circumstances appear favorable, conflict can reverse in an instant; the ethical emphasis is on steadiness (dhairya) and disciplined resolve in fulfilling one’s duty amid uncertainty, rather than relying on momentary advantage.
In the battle, Śalya disrupts Yudhiṣṭhira’s fighting capacity by severing the bow-string/bow with a sharp arrow, then follows up with a heavy volley—described as a hundred arrows—intensifying the duel and testing Yudhiṣṭhira’s composure.