Shloka 616
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
धनुश्लास्य शिताग्रेण बाणेन निरकृन्तत । युद्ध करते समय युधिष्ठिरके लिये सब कुछ प्रदक्षिण (अनुकूल) हो रहा था। तदनन्तर शल्यने युधिष्ठिरपर सौ बाणोंका प्रहार किया तथा तीखी धारवाले बाणसे उनके धनुषको भी काट दिया
sañjaya uvāca |
dhanuḥ ślāṣya śitāgreṇa bāṇena nirakṛntata |
सञ्जय उवाच—शिताग्रेण बाणेन धनुः श्लास्यं निरकृन्तत। तदा युद्धे युधिष्ठिरस्य सर्वं प्रदक्षिणमिवाभवत्; अनन्तरं शल्यः शतबाणैः युधिष्ठिरं विव्याध, तीक्ष्णधारेण च बाणेन तस्य धनुरपि चिच्छेद।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when circumstances appear favorable, conflict can reverse in an instant; the ethical emphasis is on steadiness (dhairya) and disciplined resolve in fulfilling one’s duty amid uncertainty, rather than relying on momentary advantage.
In the battle, Śalya disrupts Yudhiṣṭhira’s fighting capacity by severing the bow-string/bow with a sharp arrow, then follows up with a heavy volley—described as a hundred arrows—intensifying the duel and testing Yudhiṣṭhira’s composure.