Shloka 37
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
इत्युक्त्वा भरतश्रेष्ठो गदामुद्यम्य वीर्यवान् । उदतिष्ठत युद्धाय शक्रो वृत्रमिवाह्दयन्,ऐसा कहकर भरतवंशी वीरोंमें श्रेष्ठ पराक्रमी भीमसेन गदा उठाकर युद्धके लिये उठ खड़े हुए और जैसे इन्द्रने वृत्रासुरको ललकारा था, उसी प्रकार उन्होंने दुर्योधनका आह्वान किया
ity uktvā bharataśreṣṭho gadām udyamya vīryavān | udatiṣṭhata yuddhāya śakro vṛtram ivāhvayan ||
Sañjaya sprach: So redend hob der mächtige Bhīmasena—der Vortrefflichste unter den Bharatas—seine Keule empor und erhob sich zum Kampf. Er forderte Duryodhana heraus, wie Indra einst Vṛtra anrief.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya resolve: once a vow or declaration is made, the warrior must stand up and act with courage. The Indra–Vṛtra comparison frames the duel as a decisive confrontation where steadfastness and rightful determination are tested.
After speaking, Bhīma raises his mace and rises for combat, openly challenging Duryodhana. Sañjaya describes this moment with a mythic simile: Bhīma’s call is like Indra’s challenge to Vṛtra before their climactic battle.