Shloka 18
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
तत्पश्चात् महामना मद्रराज शल्यने सूर्य और अग्निके समान तेजस्वी बाणसे अत्यन्त वेगवान् और भयंकर बलशाली वीर युधिष्ठिरकी छातीमें चोट पहुँचायी ।।
tatpaścāt mahāmanā madrarājaḥ śalyas tu sūryāgnisama-tejasā bāṇena atyanta-vegavān bhīma-balaḥ vīraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram urasi samāhatya | tato ’tividdho ’tha yudhiṣṭhiro ’pi su-samprayuktena śareṇa rājan | jaghāna madrādhipatiṃ mahātmā mūrdhni ca lebhe ṛṣabhaḥ kurūṇām ||
Depois disso, o rei de Madra, Śalya—de grande alma, radiante como o sol e o fogo—atingiu o peito do heróico Yudhiṣṭhira com uma flecha veloz, terrível e carregada de força. Embora gravemente trespassado, Yudhiṣṭhira, o touro entre os Kurus, respondeu com um dardo bem lançado e feriu o senhor de Madra, fazendo-o tombar aturdido e sem sentidos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when wounded, a ruler committed to kṣatriya-dharma must remain steady, act with discipline rather than panic, and respond with controlled skill. The verse frames valor not as rage but as steadfast endurance and competent action amid suffering.
Śalya strikes Yudhiṣṭhira hard in the chest with a blazing, fast arrow. Despite being badly pierced, Yudhiṣṭhira retaliates with a well-shot arrow and hits Śalya, leaving him stunned/overpowered in that exchange.