View source for Shalya

{{short description|King of Madra in the Mahabharata}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{For|the urban-type settlement in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia|Shalya (urban-type settlement)}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| image = File:Shalya in Kurukshetra (cropped).jpg 
| caption = Shalya driving the chariot of [[Karna]] (cropped), [[Pahari painting]], c. 1820
| weapon = [[Spear]] and [[Gada (mace)|Gada]]
| children= Rukmangada and Rukmaratha
| affiliation = Kauravas
| origin     = [[Madra]]
| series       = [[Mahabharata]]
| family      = [[Madri]] (sister)
| relatives = [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] (nephews), [[Pandu]] (brother-in-law)
}}

'''Shalya''' ({{langx|sa|शल्य}}, lit. ''[[Pike (weapon)|Pike]]'')<ref>{{Cite web | title=Sanskrit - Dictionary | url=https://www.learnsanskrit.cc/translate?search=pike&dir=au | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240517210100/https://www.learnsanskrit.cc/translate?search=pike&dir=au | access-date=2025-01-02 | archive-date=2024-05-17}}</ref> is a character in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', one of two Sanskrit epics of Ancient India. He was a powerful king from the [[Bahlikas|Bahlika]] clan, ruling over the [[Madra kingdom]] in the Northwest region of the [[Indian subcontinent]]. Although he was the brother of [[Madri]], the wife of [[Pandu]], Shalya sided with the [[Kauravas]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. 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]].<ref name="Ganguly">{{cite web |last = Ganguly|first =Kisari|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/index.htm}}</ref>

== Epithets ==
Shalya is referred to by various epithets, including:<ref name=":0" />

* 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, [[Madri]], was married to [[Pandu]], King of [[Kuru kingdom]] at the request of [[Bhishma]], in exchange of heavy bride price consisting of gold and jewels from [[Hastinapur]]a.<ref name="Ganguly"/><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.manushi-india.org/pdfs_issues/PDF%20143/05%20Panchkanya%2025-33%20%202-9.pdf|title=Kunti|access-date=10 January 2013|publisher=Manushi India Organization}}</ref><ref name=":0">[https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241911.html Puranic Encyclopaedia] by [[Vettam Mani]]</ref> (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 112).

Shalya was present at the [[svayamvara]] of [[Draupadi]] 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]] later defeated him at the wedding (''Adi Parva'', Chapter 189, Verse 23).<ref name=":0" />

During [[Nakula]]'s western conquests, Shalya befriended his nephew and was entertained by him (''Sabha Parva'', Chapter 32, Verse 14). He also attended [[Yudhishthira]]'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).<ref name=":0" />

== 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]]’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.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05008.htm | title=The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Section VIII }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Buitenen |first1=J. A. B. van |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wFtXBGNn0aUC&dq=salya&pg=PA138 |title=The Mahabharata, Volume 3: Book 4: The Book of the Virata; Book 5: The Book of the Effort |last2=Fitzgerald |first2=James L. |date=1973 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-84665-1 |language=en}}</ref>

Despite aligning with the Kauravas, Shalya secretly wished for the Pandavas' victory (''Bhishma Parva''). Prior to the start of the war, [[Yudhishthira]] 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401888}}</ref><ref>Shalya giving boon to Yudhisthira http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06043.htm</ref> He subtly worked against [[Karna]] during his battle with [[Arjuna]], using his position as Karna’s charioteer to demoralize him (''Karna Parva'').<ref name=":0" />

== Role in the Kurukshetra War ==
[[File:Duryodhana and Salya (cropped).jpg|thumb|Duryodhan requests Shalya to become Karna's charioteer, an illustration from ''[[Razmnama]]'', the Persian translation of the ''Mahabharata'']]
=== Participation in the battle ===
Shalya engaged in multiple battles, displaying both valor and strategic acumen:<ref name=":0" />

* On the first day of the war, he dueled with [[Yudhishthira]] (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 45, Verse 28).
* He killed [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], the prince of [[Virata]] (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 47, Verse 35).
* He defeated another prince of Virata, [[Shankha]] (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 49, Verse 35).
* He fought against [[Dhrishtadyumna]] (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 62) and was later defeated by [[Bhima]] (''Bhishma Parva'', Chapter 64, Verse 27).
* Clashed with multiple warriors including Yudhishthira, Nakula, [[Sahadeva]], [[Shikhandi]], and [[Arjuna]] 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).<ref name=":0" />

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).<ref name=":0" />

=== Commander-in-chief and death ===
After Karna’s death, Shalya was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the Kaurava army on the eighteenth and final day of the war (''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).<ref name=":0" />

His soul was among those summoned during the [[Śrāddha|Shraddha]] rites at the [[Ganga River|Ganga]] (''Ashramavasika Parva'', Chapter 32, Verse 10).<ref name=":0" />

== 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).<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]