Shloka 42
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
समुद्यतगदं दृष्टवा कैलासमिव शृद्.िणम् । भीमसेनस्तदा राजन् दुर्योधनमथाब्रवीत्,राजन! शृंगंधारी कैलासपर्वतके समान गदा उठाये दुर्योधनको देखकर भीमसेनने उससे कहा--
samudyata-gadaṃ dṛṣṭvā kailāsam iva śṛṅgiṇam | bhīmasenas tadā rājan duryodhanam athābravīt ||
Sañjaya said: O King, seeing Duryodhana with his mace raised—towering like Mount Kailāsa with its lofty peaks—Bhīmasena then addressed him. The moment frames the moral tension of the duel: strength and pride stand face to face, and the coming words and actions will test the bounds of righteous conduct amid war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward power and intimidation (a raised mace, a mountain-like stance) precede a decisive ethical test. In the Mahābhārata’s war narrative, such moments remind the listener that victory is not only about strength but also about restraint and adherence to the rules of combat—dharma under pressure.
Sañjaya describes the duel’s immediate setup: Duryodhana stands with his mace lifted, formidable like Mount Kailāsa. Seeing this, Bhīma turns to speak to him, marking the transition from silent readiness to direct confrontation in the climactic mace-fight.