Shloka 583
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
दृष्टवा सर्वाणि सैन्यानि नाध्यवस्यंस्तयोर्जयम् । जैसे वसनन््त-ऋतुमें फ़ूले हुए दो पलाशके वृक्ष शोभा पाते हों
sañjaya uvāca | dṛṣṭvā sarvāṇi sainyāni nādhyavasyan tayor jayam | yathā vasantar̥tau phūlitau dvau palāśa-vṛkṣau śobhāṃ prāpnuyātām, tathā tayor ubhayor api śobhā babhūva | prāṇānāṃ bājīṃ lagitvā yuddha-jūaṃ krīḍantau madamattau mahāmanasvī dīptimantau ca vīrau dṛṣṭvā sarvāḥ senā na niścetuṃ śekuḥ—anayoḥ kasya vijayo bhaviṣyatīti ||
三阇耶说道：纵观诸军，无人能断定二者谁将得胜。二人之光彩，宛如春时两株婆罗沙树（palāśa）繁花满枝、灿然可观。望见那两位光辉夺目、胸怀宏大的勇士，沉醉于战意，将性命作赌注，玩弄这惨烈的战争之局，众军竟不能判明胜利将归于谁。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral and existential uncertainty of war: even when valor and brilliance are equal, victory cannot be confidently predicted. It also critiques the notion of war as a ‘game’ by highlighting that the stake is life itself.
Sañjaya describes a moment in battle where two outstanding warriors appear equally splendid and formidable—like twin palāśa trees in spring—so that the watching armies cannot judge which of them will prevail.