Shloka 40
Nakula’s Engagement with Citra-sena and Karṇa’s Sons; Śalya Re-stabilizes the Kaurava Host
तत्राक्षर्यमपश्याम घोररूप॑ विशाम्पते । शल्येन सड़ता: शूरा यदयुध्यन्त भागश:,प्रजानाथ! वहाँ हमने यह भयंकर आश्वर्यकी बात देखी कि पृथक्ू-पृथक् दल बनाकर आये हुए सभी शूरवीर अकेले शल्यके साथ ही जूझते रहे
tatrāścaryam apaśyāma ghorarūpaṁ viśāmpate | śalyena saṅgatāḥ śūrā yad ayudhyanta bhāgaśaḥ ||
三阇耶说道：人民之主啊，在那里我们目睹了一桩可怖的奇事：诸位英雄虽分队而来，却轮番交战——每一位都独自与沙利耶对阵。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how extraordinary prowess and battlefield circumstance can draw many warriors into single combat against one formidable leader, underscoring the ethical weight of leadership in war and the awe (āścarya) such moments evoke even in seasoned observers.
Sañjaya reports to the king that a terrifyingly astonishing scene occurred: warriors arriving in separate groups did not collectively overwhelm Śalya; instead, they engaged him separately, each division or hero fighting him in turn.