Shloka 2
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 34: Balarāma’s Withdrawal, Sarasvatī Pilgrimage Logistics, and Prabhāsa as Soma’s Renewal Tīrtha
ततस्तालध्वजो रामस्तयोर्युद्ध उपस्थिते । श्रुत्वा तच्छिष्ययो राजन्नाजगाम हलायुध:
tatastāladhvajo rāmas tayor yuddha upasthite | śrutvā tacchiṣyayo rājann ājagāma halāyudhaḥ ||
संजय बोले—महाराज! जब उन दोनों का अत्यन्त भयंकर युद्ध आरम्भ होने को था, तब अपने दोनों शिष्यों का संग्राम उपस्थित हुआ सुनकर तालचिह्न-ध्वजधारी हलायुध बलराम वहाँ आ पहुँचे।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical strain when personal bonds (a teacher’s affection and responsibility toward disciples) collide with the inexorable momentum of war and kṣatriya-duty. Even a revered elder like Balarāma is drawn to witness and respond when dharma, loyalty, and rivalry converge in a decisive confrontation.
As the duel between the two principal mace-fighters—Balarāma’s disciples Bhīma and Duryodhana—is about to begin, Balarāma (identified by the palm-tree banner and the plough as his weapon) hears the news and comes to the spot to witness the impending combat.