Shloka 12
Indra-vijaya Upākhyāna and Śalya’s Assurance to Yudhiṣṭhira (इन्द्रविजयोपाख्यानम् — शल्ययुधिष्ठिरसंवादः)
एवं त्वमपि राजेन्द्र राज्यं प्राप्स्पसि भारत । वृत्र हत्वा यथा प्राप्त: शक्र: कौरवनन्दन
evaṁ tvam api rājendra rājyaṁ prāpsyasi bhārata | vṛtraṁ hatvā yathā prāptaḥ śakraḥ kauravanandana ||
एवं त्वमपि राजेन्द्र राज्यं प्राप्स्यसि भारत । वृत्रं हत्वा यथा प्राप्तः शक्रः स्वं राज्यं कौरवनन्दन ॥
शल्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches confidence in rightful sovereignty: a king who stands firm in his kṣatriya duty and fights to restore legitimate rule can regain the kingdom, illustrated through Indra’s recovery of sovereignty after defeating Vṛtra.
Śalya addresses a Kuru prince (Bhārata/Kauravanandana), offering reassurance and motivation by citing the well-known myth of Indra slaying Vṛtra and thereby attaining his kingdom, implying a similar outcome for the addressee.