Mahabharata 9.32.62 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 32, Shloka 62
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
त॑ हत्वा वै भवान् राजा हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्रुहि । ऋते च जीवितादू वीर युद्धे कि कर्म ते प्रियम्
taṁ hatvā vai bhavān rājā hato vā svargam āpnuyāt | ṛte ca jīvitād vīra yuddhe kiṁ karma te priyam ||
युधिष्ठिर बोले—उस एक का वध कर देने पर तुम राजा हो सकते हो; अथवा यदि स्वयं मारे गए तो स्वर्गलोक प्राप्त करोगे। हे वीर! जीवन-रक्षा के सिवा युद्ध में तुम्हारा और कौन-सा प्रिय कार्य है, जिसे हम तुम्हारे लिए करें?
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a kṣatriya moral calculus: victory yields kingship, death in righteous combat yields heaven; thus the only special request worth asking is protection of life—otherwise, duty in battle is to accept either outcome with honor.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a warrior (honorifically), offering a stark alternative—kill the designated opponent and gain sovereignty, or be killed and gain heaven—then asks what favor is desired beyond mere survival in the fight.
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