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 ||
சல்யன் கூறினான்—ஓ அரசர்களில் சிறந்தவனே, ஓ பாரதா! நீயும் அரசாட்சியை அடைவாய். வ்ருத்ரனை வதைத்து சக்ரன் (இந்திரன்) தன் ஆட்சியை மீட்டதுபோல், ஓ குருநந்தனே, நீயும் உன் அரசை அடைவாய்.
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.