Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 336
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
अद्विसारमयीं गुर्वीमाविध्यन् बह्मशोभत । भीमसेनके द्वारा घुमायी गयी उस गदाको देखकर दुर्योधन भी अपनी लोहमयी भारी गदाको घुमाता हुआ अधिक शोभा पाने लगा
Sañjaya uvāca — advisāramayīṃ gurvīm āvidhyan brahmaśobhata | Bhīmasenena dvārā ghumāyī gayī us gadāko dekhkar Duryodhana bhī apanī lohamayī bhārī gadāko ghumātā huā adhika śobhā pāne lagā ||
Sañjaya said: As Bhīmasena powerfully whirled his massive mace—seemingly fashioned of adamant—its brilliance was striking. Seeing that mace being swung, Duryodhana too began to whirl his own heavy iron mace, seeking to match and surpass the display of martial splendor.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and competitive display can drive warriors to escalate conflict. Martial skill becomes entangled with ego—seeking 'greater splendor'—which ethically warns that valor without restraint can deepen violence and obscure dharmic judgment.
Sanjaya describes a visual moment in the mace-duel atmosphere: Bhima swings a massive, adamant-like mace with impressive brilliance; seeing this, Duryodhana responds by swinging his own heavy iron mace, aiming to match or outshine Bhima’s display.
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