Shloka 57
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
अदृश्येतां तदा राजन् कड़कपत्रिभिराचितौ । उद्धिन्नरुधिरी शूरौ मद्रराजयुधिष्ठिरो,राजन! उस समय शूरवीर मद्रराज और युधिष्छिर दोनों कंकपत्रयुक्त बाणोंसे व्याप्त हो खून बहाते दिखायी देते थे
adṛśyetāṁ tadā rājan kaḍakapatribhir ācitau | uddhinnarudhirī śūrau madrarājayudhiṣṭhirau ||
Sañjaya nói: Tâu Đại vương, khi ấy hai dũng sĩ—vua xứ Madra và Yudhiṣṭhira—đều hiện ra trước mắt, mình mẩy phủ đầy những mũi tên đầu sắc cứng, máu chảy ròng ròng.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the harsh cost of kṣatriya-duty: even righteous rulers must face physical suffering in war. It implicitly contrasts inner commitment to dharma with the outward brutality of conflict, reminding the listener that moral intention does not remove the painful consequences of battle.
Sañjaya describes to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the duel-like encounter where Śalya (the king of Madra) and Yudhiṣṭhira are both visibly pierced by sharp-headed arrows and bleeding, emphasizing the intensity and near-equal ferocity of their combat at that moment.