Shloka 393
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
गदां परामृशद् धीमान् धार्तराष्ट्री महाबल: । इसके बाद महाबली बुद्धिमान् दुर्योधनने लोहेकी बनी हुई वह सुवर्णभूषित भारी गदा हाथमें ली
gadāṁ parāmṛśad dhīmān dhārtarāṣṭrī mahābalaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Then the wise and mighty son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra grasped his mace—heavy, iron-forged, and adorned with gold. In the grim ethic of war, this moment marks Duryodhana’s deliberate readiness to meet his opponent by strength and weapon-skill, choosing the path of combat over retreat or reconciliation.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights resolve and preparedness in one’s chosen duty: Duryodhana consciously takes up his weapon, embodying the kṣatriya ideal of facing conflict directly—while also reminding readers that wisdom and strength can be directed toward destructive ends when guided by pride and enmity.
Sañjaya reports that Duryodhana, the powerful son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, takes up his heavy, gold-adorned iron mace, signaling his readiness for the impending mace-fight and the climactic confrontation of the war.