Shloka 31
त्रिपुरदाह-इतिहासः
Tripura-destruction exemplum and counsel to Śalya
सो5चरत् सहसा खड्गी मण्डलानि समन्तत: । चतुर्दश महाराज शिक्षाबलसमन्वित:,महाराज! सुतसोम शिक्षा और बल दोनोंसे सम्पन्न था, वह खड़्ग लेकर सहसा उसके चौदह मण्डल (पैंतरे) दिखाता हुआ रणभूमिमें सब ओर विचरने लगा
so 'carat sahasā khaḍgī maṇḍalāni samantataḥ | caturdaśa mahārāja śikṣā-bala-samanvitaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：随即他手执利剑，倏然在四方游走，展示那十四种环转的战阵步法。大王啊，苏多娑摩兼具严整的训练与雄健的气力，纵横驰骋于战场之上，以武艺示其备战之心与坚决之志，在战争沉重的道义之下尤显凛然。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined preparedness: true prowess is not mere aggression but trained control (śikṣā) joined with strength (bala). Even in war—an ethically weighty arena—skill is shown as regulated competence rather than chaotic violence.
Sañjaya describes a warrior suddenly moving across the battlefield with a sword, performing the traditional ‘fourteen maṇḍalas’—circular footwork and feints—circling in all directions to display readiness and intimidate or engage opponents.