Śala of the Gaṅgā Vision

Śala is named among the great warriors who rose from the Gaṅgā when Vyāsa called up the fallen of Kurukṣetra. This is the vision at the river in the Āśramavāsika Parva. Each warrior appeared just as he had been in life, with the same dress (veṣa), banner (dhvaja) and vehicle (vāhana). Each was free of vaira (enmity), ahaṃkāra (pride), krodha (anger) and mātsarya (envy). After one night with the living, each went back to his own loka (world).

The vision at the Gaṅgā

Śala is named in the long roll-call of warriors who came out of the waters of the Gaṅgā. He is named next to Śalya and their brothers. Kings such as Bhagadatta, Bhūriśravā, Bāhlīka and Somadatta are named with them. Śala appears only in this one roll-call, and no further detail about him is given.

Return to the Viśvedevas

In the Svargārohaṇa Parva, Śala is named among the great souls who had used up their earthly karma (action and its fruit). They entered the Viśvedevas, a bright class of devas. They went in together with the other Kuru, Yādava and allied heroes.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Āśramavāsika Parva, Chapter 32
• Mahābhārata, Svargārohaṇa Parva, Chapter 5