Shloka 38
Chapter 51: Saṃdhyākāla-saṃhāra
Evening Withdrawal after Arjuna’s Counter-Advance
स हताश्वे रथे तिष्ठन् मद्राधिपतिरायसीम् । उत्तरान्तकरीं शक्ति चिक्षेप भुजगोपमाम्
sa hatāśve rathe tiṣṭhan madrādhipatir āyasīm | uttarāntakarīṃ śaktiṃ cikṣepa bhujagopamām ||
三阇耶说道：纵然战马已被杀尽，摩陀罗之主沙利耶仍立于车上，掷出一柄铁枪，凶厉如蛇，意在夺取乌多罗王子的性命。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the relentless nature of war: even after suffering immediate loss (the chariot’s horses), a warrior persists and directs his prowess toward killing. Ethically, it reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between kṣatriya valor and the tragic cost of violence.
Sañjaya describes Śalya, king of Madra, still on his chariot despite its horses being slain, hurling an iron śakti (spear/javelin) that is serpent-like and aimed to kill Prince Uttara.