Shloka 35
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
ततः पार्था महेष्वासा: सात्वताभिसूतं नृपम् | अभ्यवर्तन् रथैस्तूर्ण मातुलं वधकाड्क्षया,तब महाथधनुर्धर पृथापुत्रोंने सात्यकिके साथ उलझे हुए मामा मद्रराज शल्यके वधकी इच्छासे रथोंद्वारा उनपर आक्रमण किया
tataḥ pārthā maheṣvāsāḥ sātvātābhisūtaṃ nṛpam | abhyavartan rathais tūrṇaṃ mātulaṃ vadhakāṅkṣayā ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Pagkaraan nito, ang makapangyarihang mga mamamana—ang mga anak ni Pṛthā—ay mabilis na inikot ang kanilang mga karwahe at sumalakay sa hari, ang tagapagmaneho ng Sātvata, na kanilang tiyuhin sa ina, na udyok ng pagnanais na siya’y mapatay.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension in dharma-yuddha: even close kin (a maternal uncle) may become a legitimate target when aligned with adharma or the opposing side. It points to the grim reality that war compels the subordination of personal bonds to perceived duty, making the conflict morally tragic rather than celebratory.
Sañjaya narrates that the Pāṇḍavas, renowned archers, rapidly maneuver their chariots and launch an attack on their maternal uncle—understood in context as Śalya, the Madra king—intent on killing him amid the Kurukṣetra battle.