Shloka 70

Śalya–Bhīma Gadāyuddham (मद्रराज-भीमसेन गदायुद्धम्)

Devanagari script

अवक्षेपो$सिनिर्ल्ाद: शस्त्रान्तरनिदर्शनम्‌ | बाह्यान्तरनिपातश्च निर्विशेषमदृश्यत,खड्गका प्रहार, खड़्ग-संचालनके शब्द, अन्यान्य शस्त्रोंके प्रदर्शन तथा बाहर भीतरकी चोटें करनेमें उन दोनों वीरोंकी समान योग्यता दिखायी देती थी

Transliteration

avakṣepo’sinirghoṣaḥ śastrāntara-nidarśanam | bāhyāntara-nipātaś ca nirviśeṣam adṛśyata ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “The downward sweep and the clang of the sword, the display of alternate weapons, and the blows struck from without and from within—all these were seen to be without distinction, for both heroes showed equal mastery in every aspect of the fight.”

Word by Word

अवक्षेपःdownward stroke/throw (a strike)

असि-निर्घोषःclang/sound of the sword

शस्त्र-अन्तर-निदर्शनम्display of other/different weapons

बाह्य-अन्तर-निपातःouter and inner blows/strikes

चand

निर्विशेषम्equally/without distinction

अदृश्यतwas seen/appeared

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sañjaya

sword (asi)

weapons (śastra)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights impartial observation in the midst of war: skill and prowess can be evenly matched, and the narrator reports this without favoritism—reminding the reader that excellence in technique does not by itself settle questions of dharma.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sañjaya describes a close combat where two opposing heroes exchange sword-strokes, weapon maneuvers, and varied attacks; their external and internal strikes appear equally effective, showing no visible advantage for either side.