Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 65
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
संनद्ध: सगदो राजन् सज्ज: संग्राममूर्धनि । अब्रवीत् पाण्डवान् सर्वान् पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
sannaddhaḥ sagado rājan sajjaḥ saṅgrāmamūrdhani | abravīt pāṇḍavān sarvān putro duryodhanas tava naraśvara ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, your son Duryodhana—armoured, mace in hand, and fully prepared at the very forefront of battle—addressed all the Pāṇḍavas.” The verse underscores the deliberate resolve with which Duryodhana steps into violence, presenting war not as accident but as chosen confrontation, thereby sharpening the ethical tension between duty, pride, and the consequences of ambition.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights intentionality in moral action: Duryodhana enters the battlefield fully armed and resolute, reminding the reader that choices made from pride and hostility carry ethical weight and consequences, even when framed as ‘war duty’.
Sañjaya reports to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, armoured and holding a mace at the battle’s forefront, speaks to all the Pāṇḍavas—setting up a direct confrontation and the next exchange in the combat narrative.
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