Shloka 36
Book 9 (Śalya-parva), Adhyāya 13 — Arjuna’s Arrow-storm and the Drauṇi Confrontation
तस्मिंस्तु निहते शूरे चक्ररक्षे महारथे । मद्रराजो5पि बलवान् सैनिकानावृणोच्छरै:,अपने महारथी शूरवीर चक्ररक्षकके मारे जानेपर बलवान मद्रराजने भी बाणोंद्वारा शत्रुपक्षके समस्त योद्धाओंको आच्छादित कर दिया
tasmiṁstu nihate śūre cakrarakṣe mahārathe | madrarājo 'pi balavān sainikān āvṛṇoccharaiḥ ||
Sañjaya thưa: Khi vị dũng sĩ đại xa chiến—kẻ hộ vệ bánh xe—đã bị hạ sát, Śalya, vua Madra đầy sức mạnh, cũng liền phủ kín đạo quân đối phương bằng một trận mưa tên dày đặc.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: when a crucial defender falls, a leader must respond decisively to protect the army and maintain the integrity of the battle-array. It also reflects the ethical tension of war—duty-driven action continues even amid loss.
After the death of a heroic mahāratha who was guarding the cakra (wheel/formation), Śalya, the powerful king of Madra, retaliates by unleashing a heavy volley of arrows that blankets the enemy warriors, attempting to regain control of the battlefield.