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Shloka 30

Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa

Resolve for the Mace Duel

|| अस्त्राणामपि पर्यायं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति मानवा:

astrāṇām api paryāyaṁ kartum icchanti mānavāḥ

قال دوريودhana: «حتى مع السلاح، يطلب الناس تبديل الدور—يريدون تحويل مجرى الأمر واستعادة الغلبة.» وفي ظلّ أخلاق الحرب القاتم، تومئ العبارة إلى نزعة الإنسان القلِقة إلى قلب الحظّ بأي وسيلة، بدلًا من قبول المسؤولية والعاقبة.

अस्त्राणाम्of weapons
अस्त्राणाम्:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootअस्त्र
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
पर्यायम्a change/alternation; a substitute/variant
पर्यायम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपर्याय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
कर्तुम्to do; to make
कर्तुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
FormTumun (infinitive)
इच्छन्तिthey desire/wish
इच्छन्ति:
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
FormPresent, Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
मानवाःmen; humans
मानवाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमानव
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

दुर्योधन उवाच

D
Duryodhana
W
weapons (astra)

Educational Q&A

The verse points to a common human tendency in conflict: people try to ‘change the turn’—to reverse disadvantage and seize a new opening. Ethically, it can be read as a warning that the desire to manipulate outcomes may override steadiness, accountability, and restraint.

In Shalya Parva’s battle context, Duryodhana comments on how fighters and leaders look for a shift in momentum—seeking an alternation of advantage even amid the use of weapons—reflecting the tactical, unstable nature of the war.