Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 23
Śalya-hatānantarāṇi: Madrarāja-padānugānāṃ praskandana and the Pandava counter-encirclement (शल्यहतानन्तराणि—मद्रराजपदानुगानां प्रस्कन्दनम्)
ततस्तु शल्यो नवश्रि: पृषत्कै- भीमस्य राज्ञश्वच युधिष्ठिरस्य । निकृत्य रौक्मे पटुवर्मणी तयो- विंदारयामास भुजौ महात्मा
tatastu śalyo navaśriḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ bhīmasya rājñaś ca yudhiṣṭhirasya | nikṛty raukme paṭuvarmaṇī tayoḥ vindārayāmāsa bhujau mahātmā ||
Disse Sañjaya: Então Śalya — refulgente como recém-ornado de esplendor — golpeou com suas flechas; rompendo as firmes armaduras de ouro de Bhīma e do rei Yudhiṣṭhira, aquele guerreiro de grande alma rasgou os braços de ambos. Na ética sombria da batalha, a destreza e a determinação se revelam por golpes tão decisivos, ainda que o sofrimento que causam sublinhe o terrível custo da guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh reality of kṣatriya-dharma in wartime: excellence in arms and unwavering resolve are praised, yet the narrative simultaneously exposes the heavy human cost of such duty-bound violence.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya, shining with renewed vigor, shoots arrows that cut through the strong golden armours of Bhīma and King Yudhiṣṭhira and then rends both of their arms, marking a fierce escalation in the battle.