Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 63
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
संजय उवाच ततस्तव सुतो राजन् वर्म जग्राह काउ्चनम् | विचित्र च शिरस्त्राणं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर आपके पुत्रने सुवर्णमय कवच तथा स्वर्णजटित विचित्र शिरस्त्राण धारण किया
sañjaya uvāca | tatastava suto rājan varma jagrāha kāñcanam | vicitraṃ ca śirastrāṇaṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam |
Sanjaya said: Then, O King, your son donned a golden cuirass, and also a wondrous helmet, richly adorned with refined Jāmbūnada-gold. The narration underscores the deliberate preparation for battle—outward splendor and protection being readied for an inward resolve to face the consequences of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between external preparedness (armor, ornate helmet) and the grave moral weight of war: material protection and royal magnificence cannot by themselves secure righteousness; they merely equip one to act, while the ethical outcome depends on intention and conduct.
Sanjaya reports to Dhritarashtra that Dhritarashtra’s son (in this context, Duryodhana) puts on a golden cuirass and an ornate helmet decorated with fine Jāmbūnada-gold, signaling his readiness to enter or continue the battle.
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