Shloka 62
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
त॑ हत्वा वै भवान् राजा हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्रुहि । ऋते च जीवितादू वीर युद्धे कि कर्म ते प्रियम्
taṁ hatvā vai bhavān rājā hato vā svargam āpnuyāt | ṛte ca jīvitād vīra yuddhe kiṁ karma te priyam ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “If you slay that one, you may become king; or, if you are slain, you will attain heaven. O hero, apart from the safeguarding of life, what other deed in this battle is dear to you for us to accomplish?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a kṣatriya moral calculus: victory yields kingship, death in righteous combat yields heaven; thus the only special request worth asking is protection of life—otherwise, duty in battle is to accept either outcome with honor.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a warrior (honorifically), offering a stark alternative—kill the designated opponent and gain sovereignty, or be killed and gain heaven—then asks what favor is desired beyond mere survival in the fight.