Shloka 373
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
अन्तर्जलात् समुत्तस्थौ नागेन्द्र इव नि:श्वसन् । वह पराक्रमी वीर बड़े वेगसे सोनेके अंगदसे विभूषित एवं लोहेकी बनी हुई भारी गदा हाथमें लेकर पानीको चीरता हुआ उसके भीतरसे उठ खड़ा हुआ और सर्पराजके समान लंबी साँस खींचने लगा
antarjalāt samuttasthau nāgendra iva niḥśvasan |
Sañjaya said: He rose up from within the water, breathing hard like the lord of serpents. The mighty warrior, adorned with golden armlets and gripping a heavy iron mace, split the waters and emerged, drawing a long, forceful breath—an image of relentless martial resolve amid the violence of war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast courage and readiness in the midst of conflict: even after being submerged and strained, the warrior re-emerges armed and composed, embodying the Kṣatriya ideal of resilience and unwavering resolve under pressure.
Sañjaya describes a powerful warrior rising from the water, cleaving through it while holding a heavy iron mace and wearing golden armlets, and breathing heavily like a serpent-king—signaling renewed engagement in the battle.