Word

Salya

Sanskrit

शल्य

IAST

śalya

In General

Salya was a prominent king who took part in the Mahabharatha War. He ruled over the Madra kingdom. Madil, wife of Pandu was Salya's sister. He fought in the side of Kauravas in war but wished Pandavas to win the War. Salya was a great fighter during the war he killed Uttara, the Virata prince and Satanika, the brother of Virata. After the death or Karna, he assumed the head of Kaurava Army. He was killed by Yudhisthira.

Purana

Salya was brother of Madri and thus the uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva. He come with his one Aksauhini strength Army to fight war of Mahabharatha from Pandavas side . But on his way he was given a great welcome, excellent hospitality, which he accepts thinking it being extended by Yudhisthira, but actually the entire arrangements were made by Duryodhana. So, he unwillingly fought on part of Kauravas as he made an unfortunate promise to Duryodhana while accepting the hospitality. His unwillingness was completely displayed by his taunts on Karna as Salya was forced by Duryodhana to be Karna’s charioteer(sarathi) to fight Arjun.

He was friendly with both Pandavas and Kauravas. He was present at the wedding of Draupadl in the company of his sons Rukmangada and Rukmaratha, but he did not contested. He participated in Yudhisthira's Rajasuya yajna and was present during the fateful game of dice.