Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 39
Chapter 23: Śakuni Reports, Kaurava Advance, and Arjuna’s Penetration of the Host
पादाताशक्ष त्रिसाहस्रा द्रौपदेयाश्व॒ सर्वश: । रणे हाभ्यद्रवंस्ते तु शकुनिं युद्धदुर्मदम्
sañjaya uvāca | pādātāś ca trīsahasrā draupadeyāś ca sarvaśaḥ | raṇe hy abhyadravaṃs te tu śakuniṃ yuddha-durmadam | tad-anantaraṃ dharmarāja-ājñayā dhanuḥ-pāṇayaḥ saptāśata-hastinaḥ pañca-sahasra-aśvārūḍhāḥ parākrama-sahadevaḥ trīsahasrāḥ pādātāś ca draupadyāḥ sarve putrāś ca—ete sarve raṇa-bhūmau yuddha-durmadam śakuniṃ prati abhyadravan |
Sañjaya disse: Então, na batalha, três mil infantes e todos os filhos de Draupadī avançaram contra Śakuni, que se tornara arrogante no frenesi da guerra. Depois, sob a ordem de Dharmarāja, uma força de setecentos elefantes com guerreiros montados portando arcos, cinco mil cavaleiros, o valente Sahadeva, três mil infantes e todos os filhos de Draupadī irrompeu em conjunto pelo campo para atingir Śakuni.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even within the violence of war, action is portrayed as ethically structured by rightful command (Dharmarāja’s order) and disciplined purpose; the verse contrasts dharma-guided obedience and coordinated effort with the moral danger of war-intoxication (yuddha-durmada).
Sañjaya reports that, following Yudhiṣṭhira’s command, a combined force—elephants with bow-armed riders, cavalry, infantry, Sahadeva, and all of Draupadī’s sons—launches a concerted charge against Śakuni on the battlefield.
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