Shloka 42
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
स च्छिन्नधन्वा तेजस्वी रथशक्त्या सुतं तव । बिभेदोरसि विक्रम्प स रथोपस्थ आविशत्,धनुष कट जानेपर तेजस्वी भीमसेनने पराक्रमपूर्वक आपके पुत्रकी छातीमें रथशक्तिका प्रहार किया। उसकी चोट खाकर दुर्योधन रथके पिछले भागमें मूर्च्छित होकर बैठ गया
sa cchinnadhanvā tejasvī rathaśaktyā sutaṃ tava | bibhedorasi vikramya sa rathopastha āviśat ||
ସଞ୍ଜୟ କହିଲେ—ଧନୁଷ କଟିଯାଇଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ତେଜସ୍ବୀ ଭୀମସେନ ପରାକ୍ରମରେ ରଥଶକ୍ତି ଦ୍ୱାରା ଆପଣଙ୍କ ପୁତ୍ରଙ୍କ ଛାତିକୁ ଭେଦିଦେଲା; ସେ ଆଘାତରେ ଦୁର୍ଯ୍ୟୋଧନ ମୂର୍ଛିତ ହୋଇ ରଥର ପଛ ଭାଗରେ ଢଳିପଡ଼ିଲା।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless momentum of war: even when a warrior is disarmed, determination and martial skill can still inflict decisive harm. Ethically, it points to the bitter fruition of adharma—conflict pursued through pride and injustice culminates in humiliation, collapse, and suffering.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīmasena, despite having his bow cut, attacks Duryodhana with a rathaśakti and pierces him in the chest. Duryodhana, overwhelmed by the impact, slumps unconscious or stunned into the rear seat area of his chariot.