Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 25
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले नरेश! इस प्रकार दिनकी समाप्तिके समय उन दोनों वीरोंमें वृत्रासुर और इन्द्रके समान क्रूरतापूर्ण एवं भयंकर युद्ध होने लगा ।।
gadāhastau tatastau tu maṇḍalāvasthitau balī | dakṣiṇaṃ maṇḍalaṃ rājan dhārtarāṣṭro 'bhyavartata ||
Sañjaya said: Then those two mighty warriors, clubs in hand, took their positions in circling combat. O King, Dhārtarāṣṭra moved into the right-hand circle, pressing the engagement. The scene underscores how, as daylight wanes, disciplined technique and relentless resolve drive the duel toward a more perilous intensity, where prowess is tested against restraint and duty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in violent conflict, the epic highlights disciplined conduct: strength is shown not only by force but by controlled technique and adherence to the warrior code, reminding that choices made in battle carry moral and karmic weight.
Sañjaya describes a mace-duel where the two fighters adopt a circling formation (maṇḍala). Duryodhana (Dhārtarāṣṭra) advances into the rightward circle, signaling an active tactical move as the duel intensifies.
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