Shloka 28
Droṇa–Dhṛṣṭadyumna-yuddha (द्रोण-धृष्टद्युम्न-युद्धम्) — Tactical duel and allied interventions
युधिष्ठिर: स्वयं राजा मद्रराजानमभ्ययात् । तस्य मद्राधिपश्षापं द्विधा चिच्छेद मारिष,स्वयं राजा युधिष्ठिरने मद्रराज शल्यपर आक्रमण किया। राजन! मद्रराजने युधिष्ठिरके धनुषके दो टुकड़े कर दिये
sañjaya uvāca | yudhiṣṭhiraḥ svayaṃ rājā madrarājānam abhyayāt | tasya madrādhipaś cāpaṃ dvidhā ciccheda māriṣa ||
सञ्जय उवाच—युधिष्ठिरः स्वयं राजा मद्रराजानमभ्ययात्। ततो मद्राधिपः, मारिष, तस्य धनुः शापं द्विधा चिच्छेद।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ruler devoted to dharma must act decisively in battle and remain composed when plans are disrupted; steadiness and resolve are tested by sudden setbacks.
Yudhiṣṭhira personally advances to engage Śalya, the king of Madra, and Śalya responds by cutting Yudhiṣṭhira’s bow into two, gaining a tactical advantage in that moment.