Shloka 54
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
तस्य तच्चरितं दृष्ट्वा संग्रामे भीमकर्मण: । वित्रेसुस्तावका: सर्वे शल्यस्त्वेनं समभ्ययात्
tasya tac-caritaṃ dṛṣṭvā saṅgrāme bhīma-karmaṇaḥ | vitresus tāvakāḥ sarve śalyas tv enaṃ samabhyayāt ||
三阇耶说道：见他在战场上施展那等雄伟的武功——那位行事可怖之人——陛下的全军尽皆惊惧战栗；然而，沙利耶径直迎上前去，发动了猛攻。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how visible courage and prowess can shift the moral balance of an army—fear spreads quickly, yet a resolute leader may counter it by taking decisive action. It reflects the kṣatriya ideal of meeting danger directly rather than yielding to panic.
Sañjaya reports that Yudhiṣṭhira’s formidable performance in battle causes the Kaurava troops to tremble, but Śalya moves forward to confront and attack him, attempting to check that surge of Pandava momentum.