Shloka 67
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
मुहूर्तमिव तौ गत्वा नर्दमाने युधिष्ठिरे । स्मित्वा ततो मद्रपतिरन्यं स्यन्दनमास्थित:,युधिष्ठिर दो घड़ीतक उनका पीछा करके सिंहके समान दहाड़ते रहे। तत्पश्चात् मद्रराज शल्य मुसकराकर दूसरे रथपर जा बैठे। उनका वह उज्ज्वल रथ विधिपूर्वक सजाया गया था। उससे महान् मेघके समान गम्भीर ध्वनि होती थी। उसमें यन्त्र आदि आवश्यक उपकरण सजाकर रख दिये गये थे और वह रथ शत्रुओंके रोंगटे खड़े कर देनेवाला था
muhūrtam iva tau gatvā nardamāne yudhiṣṭhire | smitvā tato madrapatir anyaṃ syandanam āsthitaḥ ||
Sañjaya nói: Trong chốc lát, khi Yudhiṣṭhira đuổi theo, gầm vang như sư tử, chúa xứ Madra (Śalya) chỉ mỉm cười rồi bước lên một chiến xa khác. Chiến xa ấy rực sáng, được trang bị đúng phép; tiếng lăn vang trầm như mây lớn, khiến quân thù dựng tóc gáy.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contrasting battle-temperaments: righteous intensity in pursuit (Yudhiṣṭhira’s lion-like roar) and strategic calm (Śalya’s smile and swift change of chariot). Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma in action—steadfast courage paired with tactical adaptability—showing that inner composure can be as decisive as outward ferocity.
As Yudhiṣṭhira advances in pursuit, roaring, Śalya—identified as the king of Madra—smiles and mounts another chariot, indicating a tactical shift in the midst of combat and the continuing, fluid movement of the battlefield.