Shloka 67
Śalya–Yudhiṣṭhira Duel and the Discharge of the Śakti (शल्यवधप्रसङ्गः)
मुहूर्तमिव तौ गत्वा नर्दमाने युधिष्ठिरे । स्मित्वा ततो मद्रपतिरन्यं स्यन्दनमास्थित:
muhūrtam iva tau gatvā nardamāne yudhiṣṭhire | smitvā tato madrapatir anyaṃ syandanam āsthitaḥ ||
桑阇耶说道：片刻之间，坚战追逐不舍，吼声如狮；而摩陀罗之主沙利耶只是含笑，转而登上另一乘战车。那战车光辉夺目，依礼整备；其轰鸣深沉如大云雷动，足令敌军毛发悚然。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contrasting battle-temperaments: righteous intensity in pursuit (Yudhiṣṭhira’s lion-like roar) and strategic calm (Śalya’s smile and swift change of chariot). Ethically, it reflects kṣatriya-dharma in action—steadfast courage paired with tactical adaptability—showing that inner composure can be as decisive as outward ferocity.
As Yudhiṣṭhira advances in pursuit, roaring, Śalya—identified as the king of Madra—smiles and mounts another chariot, indicating a tactical shift in the midst of combat and the continuing, fluid movement of the battlefield.