Shloka 20
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
उपन्यस्तमपन्यस्तं गदायुद्धविशारदौ । एवं तौ विचरन्तौ तु परस्परमविध्यताम्
upanyastam apanyastaṁ gadāyuddhaviśāradau | evaṁ tau vicarantau tu parasparam avidhyatām ||
Dijo Sañjaya: Ambos, maestros en la ciencia del combate con maza, no dejaban de cambiar de postura—ora afirmando la guardia, ora retirándola—y, moviéndose así, se golpeaban una y otra vez. La escena subraya la destreza marcial disciplinada más que la ira: cada cual busca ventaja mediante técnica medida, constancia y dominio en medio de la violencia de la guerra.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a brutal duel, the text highlights controlled technique and disciplined conduct: victory is pursued through trained skill, alertness, and strategic movement rather than uncontrolled fury—an aspect of kṣatriya-dharma where prowess is joined to restraint.
Sañjaya describes two expert mace-fighters maneuvering with alternating guards and positions, circling and engaging repeatedly, mutually landing blows as they test each other’s defenses.