Shloka 573
Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
समुद्यम्य महाबाहु: शल्यमभ्यपतद् रणे । जिसमें वज्जकी गुरुता भरी है और जो हीरे, मणि तथा रत्नसमूहोंसे जटित होनेके कारण विचित्र शोभा धारण करती है, उसीको हाथमें उठाकर महाबाहु भीमसेन रणभूमिमें शल्यपर टूट पड़े
samudyamya mahābāhuḥ śalyam abhyapatad raṇe |
समुद्यम्य महाबाहुः शल्यः शल्यमभ्यपतद् रणे। गुरुभारां विचित्ररत्नमणिहीरकजटितां शलाकां हस्ते गृहीत्वा, महाबाहुर्भीमसेनं हन्तुमिव रणभूमौ शल्योऽभ्यधावत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds the kṣatriya-war ethos: decisive action and fearlessness in combat. Ethically, it also hints at the tragic narrowing of human purpose in war—where strength and splendid weaponry serve destruction, reminding readers that dharma in battle is duty-bound yet morally costly.
Sañjaya reports that Śalya, raising his heavy and ornate spear, charges on the battlefield to strike Bhīmasena, marking an escalation in the direct clash between major warriors.