Shloka 28
Rajo-dhūli-saṃmūḍha-saṅgrāmaḥ
The Dust-Obscured Battle and Mutual Charges
तमापततन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य मत्तवारणविक्रमम्,मतवाले हाथीके समान पराक्रम प्रकट करनेवाले शंखको धावा करते देख आपके सात रथियोंने मौतके दाँतोंमें फँसे हुए मद्राज शल्यको बचानेकी इच्छा रखकर उन्हें चारों ओरसे घेर लिया
tam āpatantaṃ samprekṣya mattavāraṇa-vikramam | matavāle hāthī ke samāna parākrama prakaṭa karanevāle śaṅkha ko dhāvata dekhā āpake sāt rathiyoṃ ne maut ke dāṃtoṃ meṃ phaṃse hue madrāja śalya ko bacāne kī icchā rakhkar unheṃ cāroṃ or se ghera liyā |
तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य मत्तवारणविक्रमम् । तावकाः सप्त रथिनो मद्रराजं शल्यमार्तं मृत्युदंष्ट्रान्तरं गतम् । परित्रातुमभिसन्धाय समन्तात् पर्यवारयन् ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violence, the epic highlights a warrior’s duty to protect comrades and commanders: loyalty and responsibility (kṣatriya-dharma) demand swift, coordinated action to save an ally in mortal danger.
Śaṅkha charges with elephant-like fury; seeing Śalya in extreme peril, the Kaurava side’s seven chariot-warriors move in and surround the attacker/engagement zone to shield and rescue Śalya.