Shloka 55
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
मा वृथा गर्ज कौन्तेय शारदा भ्रमिवाजलम् | दर्शयस्व बल॑ युद्धे यावत् तत् तेडद्य विद्यते,कुन्तीपुत्र! शरद-ऋतुके निर्जल मेघकी भाँति व्यर्थ गर्जना न कर। आज तेरे पास जितना बल हो, वह सब युद्धमें दिखा
mā vṛthā garja kaunteya śāradā bhramivājalam | darśayasva balaṃ yuddhe yāvat tat te ’dya vidyate ||
Duryodhana said: “Do not roar in vain, O son of Kuntī—like a cloud in the autumn season that thunders while carrying no rain. Display in battle today whatever strength still remains in you.”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts empty bravado with effective action: in a dharma-of-war setting, words and threats are judged by the strength and conduct actually shown on the battlefield.
During the Shalya Parva battle sequence, Duryodhana addresses a Pāṇḍava (Kaunteya, i.e., Arjuna) with a taunt, comparing his roaring to an autumn cloud that thunders without rain, and urges him to demonstrate whatever power he still has in combat.