Shloka 21
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
भवन्त: प्रेक्षका: सर्वे मम सन्तु जनार्दन । सामरानपि लोकांस्त्रीन् नानाशस्त्रधरान् युधि
bhavantaḥ prekṣakāḥ sarve mama santu janārdana | sāmarān api lokāṁs trīn nānāśastradharān yudhi ||
Bhīmasena dit : «Ô Janārdana, que vous tous soyez mes témoins. Quand bien même, dans cette bataille, les trois mondes avec les dieux—portant des armes de toute sorte—se dresseraient contre moi, je ne fléchirai pas dans ma résolution.»
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfast resolve aligned with kṣatriya-dharma: one should stand firm in a righteous commitment, calling upon worthy witnesses, even when facing overwhelming opposition.
In the midst of battle, Bhīma addresses Kṛṣṇa as Janārdana and invokes the assembled observers as witnesses, declaring that even if the gods and the three worlds, armed in many ways, were to oppose him, he will not waver from his intended course in combat.