Shloka 40
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
गदाहस्तं तु तं दृष्टवा सशृुदड्भमिव पर्वतम्
gadāhastaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā saśṛṅgam iva parvatam
Sañjaya sprach: Als sie ihn mit der Keule in der Hand sahen—wie einen Berg, von Gipfeln gekrönt—erblickten die Krieger eine Gestalt von furchtbarer, unerschütterlicher Macht, Sinnbild der brutalen Zuspitzung des Krieges, in der Stärke und Entschlossenheit den Augenblick beherrschen.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward power and weapon-bearing presence can shape the moral atmosphere of battle—evoking awe and fear—reminding readers that war often magnifies force over discernment, and that ethical steadiness is tested amid displays of might.
Sañjaya describes someone appearing on the battlefield holding a mace; his imposing form is compared to a peak-crowned mountain, signaling a formidable combatant entering or standing ready for combat.