Shloka 59
अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
तयो: समभवद् युद्ध तुमुलं भरतर्षभ । द्रोणकौन्तेययोस्तत्र बलिवासवयोरिव,भरतश्रेष्ठ जनमेजय! तदनन्तर द्रोण और कुन्तीपुत्रमें बलि और इन्द्रके संग्राम-सा तुमुल युद्ध होने लगा
tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṁ tumulaṁ bharatarṣabha | droṇakauṇteyayos tatra balivāsavayor iva || bharataśreṣṭha janamejaya tad-anantaraṁ droṇaḥ ca kuntīputraḥ ca balīndrayor iva saṅgrāma-sadṛśaṁ tumulaṁ yuddhaṁ cakratuḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Entre ces deux-là s’éleva un combat farouche et tumultueux, ô taureau parmi les Bharata. Là, entre Droṇa et le fils de Kuntī, le choc fit rage comme la lutte légendaire de Bali et de Vāsava (Indra). Ô Janamejaya, le meilleur des Bharata : ensuite Droṇa et le héros né de Kuntī s’engagèrent dans une bataille tonitruante, comparable à cette joute mythique.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic ideal of kṣatriya-dharma: when duty calls, warriors meet in open contest with steadfastness and skill. By invoking the Bali–Indra paradigm, it frames the encounter as a morally weighty trial of power and resolve, where personal prowess is measured against the larger order of dharma and reputation.
Vaiśampāyana describes a fierce duel erupting between Droṇa and a son of Kuntī. The fight is portrayed as extraordinarily intense, likened to the famed battle between Bali and Indra, emphasizing the scale and ferocity of the clash.