Shloka 263
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
दुर्योधनो महाराज पार्श्देशे5भ्यताडयत् । महाराज! युद्धके मुहानेपर वाममण्डलमें विचरते हुए भीमसेनकी पसलीमें दुर्योधनने गदा मारी
duryodhano mahārāja pārśvadeśe ’bhyatāḍayat | mahārāja! yuddhake muhānepar vāmamaṇḍaleṃ vicarate hue bhīmasenakī pasalīmeṃ duryodhanane gadā mārī |
Dijo Sañjaya: Oh rey, Duryodhana golpeó a Bhīmasena en el costado. Mientras Bhīma se movía por el flanco izquierdo, en la misma boca de la batalla, Duryodhana descargó su maza sobre las costillas de Bhīma; un episodio que muestra cómo la furia de la guerra empuja a los guerreros a buscar golpes decisivos al cuerpo antes que contención, aun dentro del áspero código del duelo singular.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the uncompromising intensity of Kurukṣetra combat: warriors seek decisive strikes amid tactical movement. Ethically, it points to how prolonged conflict narrows attention to victory and bodily harm, reminding readers that war, even when framed by kṣatriya codes, rapidly becomes a realm of harsh consequences.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Duryodhana, wielding a mace, lands a blow on Bhīma’s side/ribs while Bhīma is maneuvering on the left flank at the battle’s forefront.