Shloka 21
शल्य–युधिष्ठिरयुद्धप्रारम्भः
Commencement of the Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel
अथान्यद् धनुरादाय माद्रीपुत्रो महारथ: । मद्रराजरथं तूर्ण पूरयामास पत्रिभि:,इसके बाद माद्रीपुत्र महारथी नकुलने तुरंत ही दूसरा धनुष हाथमें लेकर मद्रराजके रथको बाणोंसे भर दिया
athānyad dhanur ādāya mādrīputro mahārathaḥ | madrarājarathaṃ tūrṇaṃ pūrayāmāsa patribhiḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: Rồi Nakula, dũng tướng xa chiến, con của Mādrī, liền cầm lấy một cây cung khác và nhanh chóng trút mưa tên, khiến chiến xa của vua Madra như bị phủ kín bởi tên đạn.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma in practice: disciplined readiness (taking up another bow) and swift, focused action in battle. Ethical emphasis lies not in cruelty but in steadfast performance of one’s role amid a righteous conflict as framed by the epic’s narrative.
Sañjaya reports that Nakula, son of Mādrī, quickly takes a second bow and showers Śalya—the king of Madra—so intensely with arrows that Śalya’s chariot is said to be ‘filled’ with them, indicating a sustained and overwhelming volley.