Shloka 19
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
निवृत्य तु महावीर्यों समुच्छितमहागदौ । पुनरन्तरमार्गस्थौ मण्डलानि विचेरतु:,महापराक्रमी भीमसेन और शल्य दोनों वीर अपनी विशाल गदाओंको ऊपर उठाये कभी पीछे लौट पड़ते, कभी मध्यम मार्गमें स्थित होते और कभी मण्डलाकार घूमने लगते थे
nivṛtya tu mahāvīryau samucchita-mahāgadau | punar antara-mārga-sthau maṇḍalāni viceratuḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian dua wira perkasa—Bhīmasena dan Śalya—mengangkat tinggi gada mereka yang besar; kadang-kadang berundur, kadang-kadang menahan garis tengah, dan kadang-kadang berpusing dalam bulatan yang luas, masing-masing mencari ruang yang tepat dalam pertarungan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the verse highlights controlled conduct—strategic withdrawal, holding position, and circling to find an opening—reflecting kṣatriya discipline where skill and restraint guide action rather than uncontrolled rage.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena and Śalya in a mace duel: both lift their heavy maces, sometimes retreat, sometimes stay in the middle line, and sometimes move in circles (maṇḍalas) as they test each other and seek a decisive strike.