Shloka 623
Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
गदाम॒श्रित्य धर्मात्मा प्रत्यमित्रमवैक्षत । अपने प्रहारका भरपूर उत्तर प्राप्त हुआ देख धर्मात्मा शल्यका चित्त आश्वर्यसे चकित हो उठा। वे गदा हाथमें लेकर अपने शत्रुकी ओर देखने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | gadām āśritya dharmātmā pratyamitrām avaikṣata |
三阇耶说道：那位怀持正法之心的勇士握起铁杵，望向对阵之敌。见自己所施一击已被对方毫不逊色地尽数回报，舍利耶心神为惊异所震，手执铁杵，怔然伫立，目光紧锁眼前的敌人。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid violent conflict, the epic frames warriors through the lens of dharma: a ‘dharmātmā’ is expected to act with steadiness and ethical awareness. The moment highlights disciplined attention—recognizing a justly met counterstroke without losing composure.
In the midst of battle, Śalya—described as dharmātmā—grips his mace and looks toward his adversary. He is astonished because he sees that his own strike has been fully answered by a powerful counterblow, prompting a stunned, focused appraisal of the enemy.