Shloka 303
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
शब्द आसीत् सुतुमुलस्तेजश्च॒ समजायत । भारत! आपके पुत्रकी वायुतुल्य गदाके वेगसे उस गदाके टकरानेपर बड़े जोरका शब्द हुआ और दोनों गदाओंसे आगकी चिनगारियाँ छूटने लगीं
śabda āsīt sutumulas tejaś ca samajāyata |
Sañjaya said: A tremendously loud crash rang out, and a blaze of fiery brilliance arose. When your son’s mace—swift as the wind—struck against the opposing mace, the impact thundered, and sparks of fire flew from both weapons, intensifying the ferocity of the duel.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrible momentum of war: when pride and enmity culminate in direct confrontation, the result is overwhelming destruction and heat (tejas). Ethically, it underscores how conflict escalates beyond control once violence is chosen as the means.
Sañjaya describes the climactic mace-fight: the maces collide with wind-like speed, producing a deafening sound and throwing off sparks, conveying the intensity and danger of the duel.