Shloka 11
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
शल्यसायकनुन्नानां पाण्डवानां महामृथधे । त्रातारं नाभ्यगच्छन्त केचित्तत्र महारथा:,जब शल्य अपने बाणोंसे पाण्डव महारथियोंकों आहत कर रहे थे, उस समय उस महासमरमें उन्हें कोई अपना रक्षक नहीं मिलता था
śalya-sāyaka-nunnānāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ mahā-mṛdhe | trātāraṁ nābhyagacchanta kecit tatra mahā-rathāḥ ||
शल्यसायकनुन्नानां पाण्डवानां महामृधे । त्रातारं नाभ्यगच्छन्त केचित्तत्र महारथाः ॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the battlefield reality that strength and status do not guarantee protection; when violence escalates, even great warriors may find themselves without immediate support. Ethically, it highlights the burden on leaders and allies to provide timely protection, and the stark consequences when coordination or refuge fails in war.
Sañjaya narrates that Śalya is powerfully striking the Pāṇḍava champions with his arrows. In that intense engagement, the Pāṇḍava maharathas do not find anyone coming forward as a protector or rescuer in the moment of crisis.