Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 9
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
समानवीर्यो सम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रगृहीतगदावु भौ । विस्मयं परमं जम्मुर्देवगन्धर्वमानवा:
sa-māna-vīryau samprekṣya pragṛhīta-gadāv ubhau | vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmur deva-gandharva-mānavāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the two of equal prowess, both having again taken up their maces, the gods, Gandharvas, and men were struck with the highest astonishment. After a brief pause, those foremost heroes resumed the duel with renewed resolve—like two powerful, intoxicated lordly elephants battling for a receptive she-elephant.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the compelling force of kṣatriya valor: even after a pause, warriors of equal strength resume combat with unwavering resolve, and such steadfastness—though violent—evokes awe as a manifestation of heroic duty and indomitable spirit.
Sañjaya reports that two evenly matched mace-fighters, after a brief respite, again grasp their maces and restart the battle; witnessing this, gods, Gandharvas, and humans are filled with intense astonishment.
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