Shloka 453
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
उपोपविष्टा: पश्यध्वं सहितैर्नुपपुड़वैः । “वीरो! मेरा और भीमसेनका जो यह युद्ध निश्चित हुआ है, इसे आप लोग सभी श्रेष्ठ नरेशोंके साथ निकट बैठकर देखिये”
upopaviṣṭāḥ paśyadhvaṃ sahitair nṛpapuṅgavaiḥ | "vīra! mama ca bhīmasenasya ca yo 'yaṃ yuddha-niścayaḥ kṛtaḥ, taṃ sarve śreṣṭha-nareśaiḥ saha nikaṭam upaviśya paśyata" ||
Sañjaya said: “Sit close by and watch, together with the foremost of kings. O hero, the duel that has been firmly resolved between me and Bhīmasena—let all of you, along with the best of rulers, sit nearby and witness it.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-code ethic: when a duel is formally resolved, it should be conducted openly before respected witnesses, so that courage, fairness, and accountability are upheld in the midst of war.
Sañjaya reports a call for the assembled kings to sit nearby and watch a decided combat between the speaker and Bhīmasena, presenting the impending fight as a solemn, publicly observed encounter.