Shloka 1
ऑपनक्रात बछ। ््ज्टस:, षट्पञज्चाशत्तमो< ध्याय: दुर्योधनके लिये अपशकुन, भीमसेनका उत्साह तथा भीम और दुर्योधनमें वाग्युद्धके पश्चात् गदायुद्धका आरम्भ वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो वाग्युद्धम भवत् तुमुलं जनमेजय । यत्र दुःखान्वितो राजा धृतराष्ट्रोडब्रवीदिदम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर भीमसेन और दुर्योधनमें भयंकर वाग्युद्ध होने लगा। इस प्रसंगको सुनकर राजा धृतराष्ट्र बहुत दुःखी हुए और संजयसे इस प्रकार बोले--
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato vāgyuddham abhavat tumulaṃ janamejaya | yatra duḥkhānvito rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd idam |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, O Janamejaya, a fierce and tumultuous war of words arose. Hearing of that exchange, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra—overwhelmed with sorrow—spoke these words to Sañjaya, for the clash of speech was already foreshadowing the imminent clash of weapons and the moral ruin brought by obstinate pride.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A verbal duel is not morally neutral: harsh speech fueled by pride and hatred becomes a prelude to violence. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief highlights the ethical consequence of failed kingship—when attachment and partiality allow adharma to grow, even words become weapons and lead to irreversible ruin.
The narrator announces that Bhīma and Duryodhana begin a fierce exchange of words. Hearing this, Dhṛtarāṣṭra becomes deeply distressed and addresses Sañjaya, setting up his anxious reactions as the confrontation moves toward the mace-fight.