Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
पीडयित्वा तु राजानं शरैराशीविषोपमै: । अभ्यधावत् पुनर्भीम शरवर्षैरवाकिरत्
pīḍayitvā tu rājānaṃ śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ | abhyadhāvat punaḥ bhīmaḥ śaravarṣair avākirat ||
ਵਿਸ਼ੈਲੇ ਸੱਪਾਂ ਵਰਗੇ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਰਾਜੇ ਨੂੰ ਪੀੜਤ ਕਰਕੇ ਭੀਮ ਮੁੜ ਧਾਵਾ ਬੋਲਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਤੀਰਾਂ ਦੀ ਵਰਖਾ ਨਾਲ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਢੱਕ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the intensity of kṣatriya warfare: once advantage is gained, a warrior presses forward with unwavering force. Ethically, it also invites reflection on how duty-driven action in war can be relentless and effective, yet inseparable from suffering inflicted on others.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma wounding and harassing a king with deadly arrows, then charging again and overwhelming him with a sustained barrage—an escalating attack meant to break the opponent’s resistance.