Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
उभौ भरतशार्दूलौ विक्रमेण समन्वितौ । सिंहाविव दुराधर्षों गदायुद्धविशारदौ,भरतवंशके वे विक्रमशाली सिंह दो जंगली सिंहोंके समान दुर्जय थे और दोनों ही गदायुद्धके विशेषज्ञ माने जाते थे
ubhau bharataśārdūlau vikrameṇa samanvitau | siṁhāv iva durādharṣau gadāyuddhaviśāradau ||
Sañjaya dit : Tous deux, tigres de la lignée des Bharata, pourvus de vaillance, étaient aussi inabordables que deux lions ; et tous deux étaient tenus pour des maîtres dans l’art du combat à la massue.
संजय उवाच
The verse underscores that true martial excellence combines innate valor with disciplined training; by depicting both fighters as equally formidable and skilled, it frames the coming violence as a grave, ethically charged contest where power must be measured against restraint and rightful conduct.
Sañjaya describes two foremost Bharata warriors facing each other, both fearless and difficult to defeat, and both renowned as experts in mace-fighting—setting the tone for a decisive, evenly matched duel.