Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 55
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
अभिद॒द्राव वेगेन सिंहो वनगजं यथा । जैसे सिंह जंगली हाथीपर झपटता है, उसी प्रकार भीमसेन गदा लेकर बड़े वेगसे आपके पुत्रकी ओर दौड़े ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
abhidadrāva vegena siṁho vanagajaṁ yathā |
upasṛtya tu rājānaṁ gadāmokṣa-viśāradaḥ |
rājan bhīmaseno gadāṁ bhrāmayitvā jigīṣayā |
duryodhanasya pārśve tu prāharad gadayā balī ||
Sanjaya said: Like a lion rushing upon a wild elephant, Bhimasena charged at your son with great speed, mace in hand. Closing in on King Duryodhana, Bhima—skilled in delivering mace-blows—whirled his weapon and, intent on finishing him, struck powerfully at his side.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of warfare: skill and determination can drive a warrior toward decisive, even ruthless action. It invites reflection on how dharma is tested under extreme pressure—where victory-seeking intent may conflict with ideals of restraint and fair conduct.
Sanjaya describes Bhima charging like a lion at a wild elephant, closing in on King Duryodhana and delivering a powerful mace-strike to his side, aiming to bring the duel to a decisive end.
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