Shloka 12
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
ततस्तु नकुलः शूरो धर्मराजे प्रपीडिते | अभिदुद्राव वेगेन मातुलं मातृनन्दन:
tatastu nakulaḥ śūro dharmarāje prapīḍite | abhidudrāva vegena mātulaṃ mātṛnandanaḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Kemudian, ketika Raja Yudhiṣṭhira—teguh dalam dharma—ditindas dengan amat berat, Nakula yang gagah, berniat menggembirakan ibunya dan menegakkan kewajipan keluarganya, meluru dengan kelajuan besar menyerang bapa saudaranya sebelah ibu.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in crisis: when a righteous leader is endangered, a warrior must act decisively to protect him, even when the opponent is a close relative—showing the painful ethical tension between family ties and duty in war.
As Yudhiṣṭhira is being heavily pressured in battle (by Śalya), Nakula swiftly rushes forward to attack his maternal uncle, attempting to relieve the king and turn the tide.