शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
घटमाना मदर्थेडस्मिन् हता: शूरा जनाधिपा: । शेरते लोहिताक्ताड़्ा: संग्रामे शरविक्षता:
ghaṭamānā madarthe 'smin hatāḥ śūrā janādhipāḥ | śerate lohitāktāṅgāḥ saṅgrāme śaravikṣatāḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Sa labang ito, dahil sa akin, maraming haring bayani ang nagsikap nang buong lakas at napatay. Ang kanilang mga katawan, pira-piraso sa mga palaso at nababalutan ng dugo, ngayo’y nakahandusay sa larangan ng digmaan.”
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores the moral weight of kings seeking victory through war: even when warriors act with loyalty and valor, the outcome is bloodshed and death, reminding the listener that triumph is purchased at a grave human cost.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that many heroic rulers, fighting earnestly for his side’s success, have been killed; their arrow-torn, blood-smeared bodies now lie on the battlefield.