Shloka 28
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
प्रतिज्ञां तां तदा राजा कृत्वा मद्रेशमभ्ययात् | ततः शड्खांश्व भेरीश्व शतशश्वैव पुष्कलान्
pratijñāṃ tāṃ tadā rājā kṛtvā madreśam abhyayāt | tataḥ śaṅkhāṃś ca bherīś ca śataśaś caiva puṣkalān |
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah mengikrarkan sumpah itu, raja pun mara menuju penguasa Madra. Lalu, dengan berlimpah-limpah, sangkakala dan gendang perang dipalu—beratus-ratus bunyinya—mengisytiharkan tekad serta menghimpunkan para pahlawan bagi tugas perang yang getir.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of a pratijñā (solemn vow): once a king publicly commits himself, he must act in accordance with that pledge, and the army’s ritual sounds (conch and drum) reinforce collective resolve and accountability in war.
Sañjaya reports that the king, after making a specific vow, moves toward the ruler of Madra (Śalya). As he advances, conches and war-drums are sounded in great numbers, signaling mobilization and the intensification of the battle scene.