Shloka 61
Adhyāya 65: Dawn Assembly, Makara–Śyena Vyūhas, and Commander Engagements
यमदण्डोपमां गुर्वीमिन्द्राशनिसमस्वनाम् । अपश्याम महाराज रौद्रां विशसनीं गदाम्,महाराज! भीमसेनकी भारी और भयंकर गदा सबका संहार करनेवाली है। हमें तो वह यमदण्डके समान दिखायी देती थी। प्रहार करनेपर उससे इन्द्रके वज़्की गड़गड़ाहटके समान आवाज होती थी
yamadaṇḍopamāṁ gurvīm indrāśanisamasvanām | apaśyāma mahārāja raudrāṁ viśasanīṁ gadām ||
Sañjaya said: “O King, we beheld a massive mace—fierce and slaughter-dealing—like Yama’s staff itself. When it struck, it resounded with a roar like Indra’s thunderbolt.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the moral gravity of war: weapons are portrayed with death-symbolism (Yama’s staff), reminding the listener that battlefield prowess carries the shadow of destruction and accountability, even when exercised under kṣatriya-duty.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra what he witnessed on the battlefield: a huge, terrifying mace whose impact sounded like Indra’s thunderbolt, emphasizing the overwhelming, death-dealing power present in the combat.