Shalya (, lit. '' Pike'') is a character in the ''

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...

'', one of two Sanskrit epics of Ancient India. He was a powerful king from the Bahlika clan, ruling over the Madra kingdom in the Northwest region of the

Indian subcontinent The Indian subcontinent is a physiographic region of Asia below the Himalayas which projects into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal to the east and the Arabian Sea to the west. It is now divided between Bangladesh, India, and Pakista ...

. Although he was the brother of

Madri Madri (, ), also known as Madravati (, ), is a character in the ''Mahabharata'', one of the two major Mahakavya, Hindu epics. She is the princess from the Madra Kingdom and becomes the second wife of Pandu, the king of the Kuru kingdom, Kuru K ...

, the wife of

Pandu Pandu () was the king of Kuru kingdom, with capital at Hastinapur in the epic '' Mahabharata''. He was the foster-father of the five Pandavas, who are the central characters of the epic. Pandu was born pale, to Vichitravirya's second wife ...

, Shalya sided with the Kauravas in the

Kurukshetra War The Kurukshetra War (), also called the Mahabharata War, is a war described in the Hindu Indian epic poetry, epic poem ''Mahabharata'', arising from a dynastic struggle between two groups of cousins, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, for the thr ...

. Despite his allegiance, he supported the Pandavas and wished for their victory. While he initially fought as a key warrior for the Kauravas, he was made Karna’s charioteer and, following Karna’s death, was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava forces. Shalya was killed by the eldest Pandava,

Yudhishthira Yudhishthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर, ud̪ʱiʂʈʰiɾᵊ IAST: ''Yudhiṣṭhira''), also known as Dharmaputra, is the eldest among the five Pandavas, and is also one of the central characters of the ancient Indian epic ''Ma ...

Epithets

Shalya is referred to by various epithets, including: * Artayani * Balhika Pungava * Madradhipa * Madraja * Madrajanadhipa * Madraka * Madraraj * Sauvira

Early life and relations

Shalya was the ruler of the Madra kingdom and was renowned for his formidable skills as a warrior and his wisdom. His sister,

, was married to

, King of Kuru Kingdom at the request of

Bhishma Bhishma (), also known as Pitamaha, Gangaputra, and Devavrata, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was a statesman and military commander of the ancient Kuru Kingdom. Renowned for his wisdom, valor, and unwavering principles, ...

, in exchange of heavy bride price consisting of gold and jewels from Hastinapura.Puranic Encyclopaedia
by Vettam Mani (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 112). Shalya was present at the svayamvara of

Draupadi Draupadi (), also referred to as Krishnā, Panchali and Yajnaseni, is the central heroine of the Indian epic poetry, ancient Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. In the epic, she is the princess of Panchala Kingdom, who later becomes the empress of K ...

alongside his sons, Rukmangada and Rukmaratha (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 185, Verse 18). However, he withdrew from the contest after failing to string the bow (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 186, Verse 28).

Bhima Bhima (, ), also known as Bhimasena (, ), is a hero and one of the most prominent characters in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. As the second of the five Pandava brothers, Bhima was born to Kunti—the wife of King Pandu—fathered by Vayu, the ...

later defeated him at the wedding (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 189, Verse 23). During

Nakula Nakula () is a major character in the ancient Indian epic, the ''Mahabharata.'' He is the elder twin brother of Sahadeva and the fourth of the five Pandava brothers. He is the son of Divine twins, twin physician gods, Ashvins, and Madri, the ...

's western conquests, Shalya befriended his nephew and was entertained by him (''Sabha Parva'', Chapter 32, Verse 14). He also attended

's Rajasuya yajna (''Sabha Parva'', Chapter 34, Verse 7) and presented Yudhishthira with a sword and a golden jar at his coronation (''Sabha Parva'', Chapter 53, Verse 9).

Allegiance to Duryodhana

The '' Udyoga Parva'' describes about the preparation of the Kurukshetra War and the formation of alliances. Though Shalya was related to the Pandavas and initially intended to fight for them, he was deceived by

Duryodhana Duryodhana (, Help:IPA/Sanskrit, ̪ʊɾjoːd̪ʱən̪ᵊ ), also known as Suyodhana, is the primary antagonist in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata.'' He is the eldest of the Kaurava, Kauravas, the hundred sons of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gan ...

’s cunning. As he traveled to join the Pandavas, Duryodhana arranged an extravagant reception for him, ensuring that Shalya and his army received unparalleled hospitality. Assuming that the Pandavas were behind these arrangements, Shalya praised his hosts. However, when he discovered that it was actually Duryodhana who had extended this courtesy, he felt obligated by royal etiquette to grant him a boon. Seizing the opportunity, Duryodhana requested Shalya to fight for the Kauravas, and bound by his word, Shalya reluctantly agreed. Despite aligning with the Kauravas, Shalya secretly wished for the Pandavas' victory (''Bhishma Parva''). Prior to the start of the war,

met with his elders on the Kaurava side, seeking their blessings. Shalya readily offered his blessings to Yudhishthira, wishing him victory. Shalya was requested by Yudhishthira to heap praises of his brothers in order to infuriate Karna.Shalya giving boon to Yudhisthira http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06043.htm He subtly worked against Karna during his battle with

Arjuna Arjuna (, , Help:IPA/Sanskrit, �ɾd͡ʒun̪ə is one of the central characters of the ancient Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''. He is the third of the five Pandava brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. ...

, using his position as Karna’s charioteer to demoralize him (''Karna Parva'').

Role in the Kurukshetra War

Participation in the battle

Shalya engaged in multiple battles, displaying both valor and strategic acumen: * On the first day of the war, he dueled with

(''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 45, Verse 28). * He killed

Uttara Uttara, which means "north" in Sanskrit and many other South Asian languages, may refer to: Places *Uttara (town), Uttara, a neighbourhood north of Dhaka, Bangladesh *Uttara Export Processing Zone, Bangladesh *Uttara East Thana *Uttara West Thana ...

, the prince of Virata (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 47, Verse 35). * He defeated another prince of Virata,

Shankha A Turbinella pyrum, shankha () has religious ritual importance in Hinduism. In Hinduism, the shankha called panchajanya is a sacred emblem of the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu. It is still used as a trumpet in Hindu ritual, and in the past was us ...

(''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 49, Verse 35). * He fought against Dhrishtadyumna (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 62) and was later defeated by

(''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 64, Verse 27). * Clashed with multiple warriors including Yudhishthira, Nakula,

Sahadeva Sahadeva () was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the '' Mahabharata''. He and his twin brother Nakula were the sons of Madri, one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch Pandu, and Ashvini Kumaras, the ...

, Shikhandi, and

throughout the war. * Protected Jayadratha from Arjuna’s assault (''Drona Parva'', Chapter 145, Verse 9).

Charioteer of Karna

Shalya was reluctantly made Karna’s charioteer at Duryodhana’s insistence (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 32). Despite this, he constantly undermined Karna’s confidence by praising Arjuna (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 37, Verse 33). Their tense relationship escalated when Karna threatened to kill him (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 40), but Shalya countered by narrating the tale of the swan and the crow, mocking Karna’s arrogance (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 41). Shalya prevented Karna from killing Nakula, Sahadeva, and Yudhishthira (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 63, Verse 21) and later consoled him when he was intimidated by Bhima (''Karna Parva'', Chapter 84, Verse 8).

Commander-in-chief and death

After Karna’s death, Shalya was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army (''Shalya Parva'', Chapter 6, Verse 28). He led the army with great might but was ultimately defeated and killed by Yudhishthira in battle (''Shalya Parva'', Chapter 17, Verse 52). His soul was among those summoned during the

Shraddha Shraddha may refer to: In religion * Śrāddha, a Hindu ritual performed for one's deceased ancestors * Śraddhā, the Sanskrit term used to refer to faith in Buddhism In Buddhism, faith (, ) refers to a serene commitment to the prac ...

rites at the Ganga (''Ashramavasika Parva'', Chapter 32, Verse 10).

Previous birth

According to the ''Mahabharata'', Shalya was a reincarnation of Samhlada, the son of Hiranyakashipu and brother of Prahlada (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 67, Verse 6).

References

{{HinduMythology Characters in the Mahabharata