Shloka 49
Adhyāya 86: Irāvān’s Lineage, Cavalry Clash, and the Māyā-Duel Ending in Irāvān’s Fall
मद्रराजरथं तूर्ण छादयामासतु: क्षणात् | तदनन्तर एक ही रथपर बैठे हुए उन दोनों शूरवीरोंने क्षणभरमें अपने सुदृढ़ धनुषको खींचकर रणभूमिमें मद्रराजके रथको तुरंत ही आच्छादित कर दिया || ४८ है ।।
sa chādyamāno bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ sannatapārva-bhiḥ | bhāgineyaiḥ prayuktaiś ca śalyas tasthau girir yathā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Bagaman si Haring Śalya ay lubusang natabingan ng napakaraming palaso—bawat isa’y may baluktot na dugtungan—na pinakawalan ng kanyang mga pamangkin, ang dakilang lalaki’y nanatiling matatag na parang bundok, hindi nayayanig at hindi natitinag. Na waring nakangiting may paghamak, winasak din niya ang mismong ulang iyon ng mga sandata.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores steadfastness and self-mastery in adversity: even when overwhelmed by hostile force, the exemplary warrior remains composed and unwavering, meeting violence with disciplined resilience rather than panic.
Śalya, king of Madra, is struck and visually ‘covered’ by a dense volley of arrows shot by his nephews. Despite the barrage, he stands firm like a mountain and counters the weapon-shower, rendering it ineffective.