Shloka 43
शल्यस्य पाण्डवसेनापीडनम् — Śalya’s Assault on the Pāṇḍava Host
with Omens and Bhīma’s Counter
नकुलं विरथं दृष्टवा द्रौपदेयो महारथम्
nakulaṁ virathaṁ dṛṣṭvā draupadeyo mahāratham
三阇耶说道：见那俱罗失却战车，卓罗波底之子——那位大车战勇士——（便上前与之相对）。此句点明战场之道：战士一旦显出破绽，如被迫离车，便成决胜关头，既引来强敌的逼迫，也牵动同阵营援护之心。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a key battlefield value in epic warfare: the condition of being 'viratha' (without a chariot) marks a critical vulnerability. It frames how warriors respond to shifts in advantage and disadvantage, raising ethical questions about protection, fairness, and the duty of powerful fighters in moments of another’s exposure.
Sañjaya reports that Nakula is seen to be without his chariot. In response, a Draupadeya—described as a mahāratha—takes notice and moves into the action, setting up the next beat of combat involving Nakula and the son of Draupadī.