Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 8
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत शल्यपर्वमें व्यू-निर्माणविषयक आठवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
nāgān rathavarāṁś ca vānye parivārya mahārathāḥ | sāntarāyodhināṁ jaghnuḥ dravamāṇaṁ mahāratham ||
سنجے نے کہا—پھر دوسرے مہارتھیوں نے بہت سے ہاتھیوں اور بہترین رتھیوں کو گھیر لیا؛ اور درمیان میں لڑنے والوں کی رکاوٹ چیرتے ہوئے بھاگتے ہوئے مہارتھی کو مار گرایا۔
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh logic of war: once the battle surges, even a great warrior who flees becomes vulnerable to encirclement and death. It invites reflection on kshatriya-dharma and how battlefield necessity can pressure or distort ideals of fair combat.
Sanjaya describes a tactical moment where other mahārathas surround war-elephants and elite chariot-fighters, then cut down a fleeing great warrior despite intervening fighters—showing coordinated pursuit and the collapse of safety in retreat.