Shloka 53

शल्यपरिघातः (Śalya Under Encirclement) — Mahābhārata, Śalya-parva, Adhyāya 12

Devanagari script

चक्ररक्षे हते शल्य: पाण्डवेन महात्मना

Transliteration

cakrarakṣe hate śalyaḥ pāṇḍavena mahātmanā

Translation

三阇耶说道：当守护轮阵（查克罗毗优诃）之勇士被那大心的般度子所杀时，沙利耶的决意亦为之动摇——战局遂现不祥之转折。

Word by Word

• चक्ररक्षे: in (the) wheel-guard/protector (i.e., in the one protecting the wheel)
• चक्ररक्षे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: चक्ररक्ष
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• हते: when slain / upon being killed
• हते: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन् (हत)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• शल्यः: Shalya
• शल्यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: शल्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• पाण्डवेन: by the Pandava
• पाण्डवेन: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• महात्मना: by the great-souled (one)
• महात्मना: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Śalya
• Pāṇḍava
• cakra (wheel) formation

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how the fall of a single strategic defender can unravel an entire formation, reminding leaders that dharma in war includes vigilance, protection of one’s troops, and responsibility for the consequences of command decisions.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya reports that the warrior assigned to guard the cakra (wheel) battle-array has been killed by a Pāṇḍava. This loss signals a tactical breach and sets the stage for Śalya’s reaction and the ensuing shifts in the battle.