Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 55
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
अभिद॒द्राव वेगेन सिंहो वनगजं यथा । जैसे सिंह जंगली हाथीपर झपटता है, उसी प्रकार भीमसेन गदा लेकर बड़े वेगसे आपके पुत्रकी ओर दौड़े ।।
sañjaya uvāca |
abhidadrāva vegena siṁho vanagajaṁ yathā |
upasṛtya tu rājānaṁ gadāmokṣa-viśāradaḥ |
rājan bhīmaseno gadāṁ bhrāmayitvā jigīṣayā |
duryodhanasya pārśve tu prāharad gadayā balī ||
Sanjaya berkata— Seperti singa menerjang gajah liar, demikianlah Bhimasena, menggenggam gada, melesat dengan kecepatan besar menuju putramu. Mendekati Raja Duryodhana, Bhima—mahir dalam hantaman gada—memutar senjatanya dan, berniat menghabisinya, menghantam keras sisi tubuhnya (bagian rusuk).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral tension of warfare: skill and determination can drive a warrior toward decisive, even ruthless action. It invites reflection on how dharma is tested under extreme pressure—where victory-seeking intent may conflict with ideals of restraint and fair conduct.
Sanjaya describes Bhima charging like a lion at a wild elephant, closing in on King Duryodhana and delivering a powerful mace-strike to his side, aiming to bring the duel to a decisive end.
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