Shloka 663
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
अथवा फाल््गुनेनाद्य त्वया वा भरतर्षभ । “भरतश्रेष्ठ! तुम्हारे भाइयोंमेंसे कोई एक मेरे साथ गदाद्वारा युद्ध करे। मैं सहदेव, नकुल, भीमसेन, अर्जुन अथवा स्वयं तुमसे भी युद्ध कर सकता हूँ
sañjaya uvāca | athavā phālgunenādya tvayā vā bharatarṣabha |
Dijo Sañjaya: «O bien, toro entre los Bharatas, que hoy sea Arjuna… o tú mismo. “¡Oh, el mejor de los Bharatas! Que cualquiera de tus hermanos venga a combatir conmigo con la maza. Puedo enfrentarme a Sahadeva, Nakula, Bhīmasena, Arjuna, o incluso a ti mismo.”»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the kṣatriya ethos of facing a worthy opponent directly and accepting single combat as a test of valor and legitimacy. It also shows how speech in war—challenge, intimidation, and naming opponents—functions as a moral-psychological weapon, pressing the other side to respond according to honor and duty.
Sañjaya reports a warrior’s open challenge to the Pāṇḍava side: he invites any one of the brothers to fight him with the mace, explicitly naming Sahadeva, Nakula, Bhīma, Arjuna (Phālguna), or even the addressed leader himself. The moment frames an impending duel and escalates the confrontation by calling for a decisive, personal contest.