Shloka 53
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
जैसे क्रोधमें भरे हुए रुद्रदेव पशुओंका संहार करते हैं, उसी प्रकार युधिष्ठिरने इस संग्राममें कुपित हो घुड़सवारों, घोड़ों और पैदलोंके सहस्रों टुकड़े कर डाले ।। शून्यमायो धन॑ कृत्वा शरवर्षै: समन्तत: । अभ्यद्रवत मद्रेशं तिष्ठ शल्येति चाब्रवीत्,उन्होंने अपने बाणोंकी वर्षद्वारा चारों ओरसे युद्धस्थलको सूना करके मद्रराजपर धावा किया और कहा--'शल्य! खड़े रहो, खड़े रहो”
śūnyam āyo dhanam kṛtvā śaravarṣaiḥ samantataḥ | abhyadravat madreśaṃ tiṣṭha śalye iti cābravīt ||
Como Rudra, tomado de ira, extermina as feras, assim Yudhiṣṭhira, enfurecido nesta batalha, fez em milhares de pedaços os cavaleiros, os cavalos e a infantaria. Então, esvaziando o campo de combate por todos os lados com chuvas de flechas, arremeteu contra o senhor de Madra e bradou: “Śalya! Fica firme—fica de pé!”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames battlefield fury as purposeful resolve under kṣatriya-dharma: the leader seeks to confront the principal opponent directly, aiming to curb wider destruction by decisive engagement rather than indiscriminate slaughter.
Sañjaya describes Yudhiṣṭhira unleashing dense arrow-showers that clear space around him, then charging at Śalya, the king of Madra, and openly challenging him to stand and fight.