Shloka 323
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
सधूमं सार्चिषं चाग्निं मुमोचोग्रमहास्वना । भीमसेनके द्वारा सम्पूर्ण वेगसे घुमायी गयी वह विशाल गदा उस समय भयंकर शब्द करती हुई धूम और ज्वालाओंसहित आग प्रकट करने लगी
sadhūmaṃ sārcīṣaṃ cāgniṃ mumocogramahāsvanā | bhīmasenakena dvārā sampūrṇa-vegase ghumāyī gayī sā viśālā gadā tadā bhayaṅkara-śabdaṃ kurvatī dhūma-jvālā-sahitā agniṃ prakaṭayām āsa |
Sañjaya said: With a thunderous, dreadful roar, the massive mace—whirled at full speed by Bhīmasena—seemed to release fire, wreathed in smoke and tongues of flame.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses elemental imagery—fire, smoke, and a terrifying roar—to suggest that violence, once set in motion, becomes consuming and difficult to restrain. Even in a dharma-framed war, the narrative warns that rage-driven force carries destructive momentum and moral weight.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma swinging a huge mace at full speed. The weapon’s motion and impact are portrayed as so intense that it seems to emit fire with smoke and flames, emphasizing the ferocity of the combat moment.