Shloka 193
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
रराज राजन पुत्रस्ते काउचन: शैलराडिव । तत्पश्चात् दुर्योधन भी सिरपर टोप लगाये सोनेका कवच बाँधे भीमके साथ युद्धके लिये डट गया। राजन! उस समय आपका पुत्र सुवर्णमय गिरिराज मेरुके समान शोभा पा रहा था
sañjaya uvāca | rarāja rājan putras te kauravaḥ śailarāḍ iva | tataḥ paścāt duryodhanaḥ śirasi ṭopaṃ lagāyya suvarṇakaṃ kavacaṃ baddhvā bhīmena saha yuddhāya samudyataḥ | rājan! tadā tava putraḥ suvarṇamayaḥ girirājo merur iva śobhāṃ prāpa |
Sanjaya said: O King, your Kaurava son shone like the lord of mountains. Thereafter Duryodhana, placing a headpiece upon his head and fastening a golden cuirass, stood firm, ready to fight Bhima. O King, at that moment your son appeared resplendent—like the golden mountain Meru—radiating the splendor of a mighty peak.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the contrast between external splendor and inner ethical burden: martial readiness and dazzling appearance do not by themselves confer righteousness; the moral quality of one’s cause and conduct in war remains decisive.
Sanjaya describes Duryodhana preparing for combat with Bhima—donning a headpiece and golden armor—and portrays him as shining like Mount Meru, emphasizing his formidable, mountain-like presence before the impending duel.