Shloka 16

गदया मद्रराजस्य सव्यदक्षिणमाहत: । भीमसेनो महाबाहुर्न चचालाचलो तथा,मद्रराजकी गदासे दायें-बायें अच्छी तरह चोट खाकर भी महाबाहु भीमसेन विचलित नहीं हुए। वे पर्वतके समान अविचलभावसे खड़े रहे

gadayā madrarājasya savyadakṣiṇam āhataḥ | bhīmaseno mahābāhur na cacālācalo tathā ||

Sañjaya said: Though struck hard on his left and right by the mace of the king of Madra, the mighty-armed Bhīmasena did not waver. He stood firm, unmoving like a mountain—an image of steadfast resolve amid the violence of war.

गदयाby/with the mace
गदया:
Karana
TypeNoun
Rootगदा
FormFeminine, Instrumental, Singular
मद्रराजस्यof the king of Madra (Shalya)
मद्रराजस्य:
TypeNoun
Rootमद्रराज
FormMasculine, Genitive, Singular
सव्यदक्षिणम्left and right (sides)
सव्यदक्षिणम्:
TypeAdjective
Rootसव्य-दक्षिण
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
आहतःstruck, hit
आहतः:
TypeVerb
Rootआ-हन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
भीमसेनःBhimasena
भीमसेनः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootभीमसेन
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
महाबाहुःmighty-armed
महाबाहुः:
TypeAdjective
Rootमहाबाहु
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
चचालmoved, wavered
चचाल:
TypeVerb
Rootचल्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Singular
अचलःa mountain
अचलः:
TypeNoun
Rootअचल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
तथाthus; in that manner
तथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतथा

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
B
Bhīmasena (Bhīma)
M
Madrarāja (King of Madra, Śalya)
G
gadā (mace)
A
acala (mountain, as simile)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights steadfastness under assault: a warrior committed to duty does not lose composure when struck. Ethically, it praises inner firmness (dhṛti) and disciplined courage—enduring pain without abandoning one’s responsibility in a righteous struggle.

Sañjaya describes the battle moment where the king of Madra (Śalya) strikes Bhīma with a mace from both sides. Despite the heavy blows, Bhīma remains unmoved, standing like a mountain, signaling his resilience and readiness to continue the duel.