Shloka 43
Śalya’s Objection to Sārathya and Duryodhana’s Conciliation (शल्यमन्यु-प्रशमनम् / Sārathyāṅgīkāra)
व्यायुधं चैनमालक्ष्य शरै: संनतपर्वभि:
vyāyudhaṃ cainam ālakṣya śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
Sañjaya berkata: “Melihat dia tidak lagi bersenjata, mereka menyerangnya dengan anak panah yang ruas-ruasnya dibengkokkan rapi—suatu perbuatan yang menyingkap kekejaman oportunis di medan perang, ketika yang lemah dijadikan sasaran dan batas antara keberanian dengan kelebihan yang tidak adil diuji.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral tension in warfare: when a fighter is disarmed, attacking him may secure advantage but raises questions about righteous conduct (dharma) and the standards of honorable combat.
Sañjaya narrates that, upon noticing a warrior in a weaponless state, opponents shoot him with well-made arrows—indicating a moment where the battle turns on exploiting an enemy’s vulnerability.