Shloka 20
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
मद्रेश्वर: क्षुरप्रेण तदा मारिष चिच्छिदे । तदशीर्यत विच्छिन्नं धनु: शल्यस्य सायकै:
sañjaya uvāca |
madreśvaraḥ kṣurapreṇa tadā māriṣa cicchide |
tad aśīryata vicchinnaṃ dhanuḥ śalyasya sāyakaiḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Maka raja Madra, Śalya, wahai yang mulia, dengan anak panah bermata tajam seperti pisau cukur, memutuskan busur itu. Busur yang tertebas oleh anak-anak panah Śalya pun pecah berkeping-keping dan berhamburan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a dharmic war, outcomes can turn instantly through skill and circumstance; the warrior’s duty is steadiness and resolve when one’s resources—like a bow—are suddenly destroyed.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya, the king of Madra, uses a razor-headed arrow to sever a bow; struck and cut by Śalya’s arrows, the bow breaks apart and scatters.