Shloka 263
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
दुर्योधनो महाराज पार्श्देशे5भ्यताडयत् । महाराज! युद्धके मुहानेपर वाममण्डलमें विचरते हुए भीमसेनकी पसलीमें दुर्योधनने गदा मारी
duryodhano mahārāja pārśvadeśe ’bhyatāḍayat | mahārāja! yuddhake muhānepar vāmamaṇḍaleṃ vicarate hue bhīmasenakī pasalīmeṃ duryodhanane gadā mārī |
Sañjaya said: O King, Duryodhana struck Bhīmasena on the side. Even as Bhīma moved on the left flank at the very front of the battle, Duryodhana brought down his mace upon Bhīma’s ribs—an episode that underscores how the war’s fury drives warriors to seek decisive, bodily blows rather than restraint, while still remaining within the brutal code of single-combat prowess.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising intensity of Kurukṣetra combat: warriors seek decisive strikes amid tactical movement. Ethically, it points to how prolonged conflict narrows attention to victory and bodily harm, reminding readers that war, even when framed by kṣatriya codes, rapidly becomes a realm of harsh consequences.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, wielding a mace, lands a blow on Bhīma’s side/ribs while Bhīma is maneuvering on the left flank at the battle’s forefront.