Shloka 38
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
Devanagari script
स भिवत्त्वा स्तम्भितं तोयं स्कन््धे कृत्वा5ड5यसीं गदाम्
Transliteration
sa bhivattvā stambhitaṃ toyaṃ skandhe kṛtvā ayasīṃ gadām
Translation
সঞ্জয় বললেন—তিনি প্রণাম করে নিজেকে স্থির করলেন, কাঁধে লৌহগদা তুলে সংযত সংকল্পে অগ্রসর হলেন। সেই মুহূর্তে যোদ্ধার শৃঙ্খলা প্রকাশ পেল—হিংসার মাঝেও কর্ম রীতিসম্মান ও আত্মসংযমে বাঁধা।
Word by Word
सःhe
सः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अभिवत्त्वाhaving saluted
अभिवत्त्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootअभि-√वन्द्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)
स्तम्भितम्stopped, made motionless
स्तम्भितम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootस्तम्भित (from √स्तम्भ्)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
तोयम्water
तोयम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootतोय
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
स्कन्धेon (his) shoulder
स्कन्धे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootस्कन्ध
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
कृत्वाhaving placed/made
कृत्वा:
TypeVerb
Root√कृ
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage)
अयसीम्iron (made of iron)
अयसीम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootअयस (अयस्) → अयसी (adj.)
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
गदाम्mace
गदाम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootगदा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Characters & Entities
S
SañjayaI
iron mace (ayasī gadā)S
shoulder (skandha)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Even in a battlefield setting, the text highlights self-control and proper conduct: a warrior’s power is to be governed by discipline and respectful observance, not mere rage.
Sañjaya narrates a warrior’s immediate action: after offering a salutation, he composes himself and takes up an iron mace on his shoulder, signaling readiness for the next martial engagement.