Shloka 15
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
चरंश्व विविधान् मार्गान् मण्डलानि च भारत । अशोभत तदा वीरो भूय एव वृकोदर:
caraṁś ca vividhān mārgān maṇḍalāni ca bhārata | aśobhat tadā vīro bhūya eva vṛkodaraḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, moving along many different paths and wheeling in circles, the hero Vṛkodara shone all the more at that time.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣātra-tejas—martial excellence expressed through disciplined movement and tactical agility. Even amid violent conflict, a warrior’s conduct is evaluated by composure, skill, and steadfast courage rather than mere aggression.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) on the battlefield: he advances through varied routes and executes circular wheeling maneuvers (maṇḍalāni). These movements make him appear even more formidable and radiant in that moment.