Shloka 69
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
गदायुद्धे न मे कश्चित् सदृशो5स्तीति चिन्तये । गदया वो हनिष्यामि सर्वानेव समागतान्
gadāyuddhe na me kaścit sadṛśo 'stīti cintaye | gadayā vo haniṣyāmi sarvān eva samāgatān ||
Sañjaya said: “I keep firmly in mind that in combat with the mace there is no one equal to me. When you come before me, I will strike you down—all of you who have assembled here—with my mace.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of pride in one’s skill: confidence in martial prowess can harden into arrogance and a readiness to annihilate opponents, a mindset that intensifies adharma in war.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s declaration of unmatched mastery in mace-combat and a threat to kill all who confront him, reflecting the escalating ferocity surrounding the climactic gadā-yuddha atmosphere in the Shalya Parva.