| Shalya | |
|---|---|
 Duryodhan recruiting Shalya for his army, an illustration from Razmnama, the Persian translation of the Mahabharata | |
| Information | |
| Weapon | Spear and Gada |
| Family | Madri (younger sister)
Dyutimat (younger brother) Madrasena (younger brother) Lakshmana Krishna's wife (niece) Vijaya (niece) |
| Children | Rukmangada, Rukmaratha and Madranjaya. |
| Relatives | Nakula and Sahadeva (nephews), Pandu (brother-in-law) |
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, King Shalya (Sanskrit: शल्य, lit. Pike)[1] was the brother of Madri (mother of Nakula and Sahadeva), and the ruler of the Madra kingdom. Skilled with the mace and a formidable warrior, he was tricked by Duryodhana to fight the war on the side of the Kauravas. He was encouraged to serve as the charioteer of Karna by Duryodhana. Shalya was an incredibly calm and deliberate fighter, his level-headedness and prowess in warfare making him a great warrior in spite of his slight build.[2]