Shloka 19
शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12
निवृत्य तु महावीर्यों समुच्छितमहागदौ । पुनरन्तरमार्गस्थौ मण्डलानि विचेरतु:
nivṛtya tu mahāvīryau samucchita-mahāgadau | punar antara-mārga-sthau maṇḍalāni viceratuḥ ||
Санджая сказал: Затем два могучих героя — Бхимасена и Шалья — подняв свои огромные булавы, то отступали, то удерживали среднюю линию сближения, то ходили широкими кругами, каждый выискивая верный просвет в поединке.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the verse highlights controlled conduct—strategic withdrawal, holding position, and circling to find an opening—reflecting kṣatriya discipline where skill and restraint guide action rather than uncontrolled rage.
Sañjaya describes Bhīmasena and Śalya in a mace duel: both lift their heavy maces, sometimes retreat, sometimes stay in the middle line, and sometimes move in circles (maṇḍalas) as they test each other and seek a decisive strike.