Shloka 14
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
आविद्धयन्तमेरिं प्रेक्ष्य धार्तराष्ट्रो<थ पाण्डवम् । गदामतुलवेगां तां विस्मित: सम्बभूव ह,आपका पुत्र दुर्योधन अपने शत्रु पाण्डुकुमार भीमसेनको वह अनुपम वेगशालिनी गदा घुमाते देख आश्र्यमें पड़ गया
āviddhyantam ariṁ prekṣya dhārtarāṣṭro ’tha pāṇḍavam | gadām atulavegāṁ tāṁ vismitaḥ sambabhūva ha ||
Sañjaya said: Seeing the Pāṇḍava—his enemy—whirling that mace of incomparable speed, Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana) was struck with astonishment. In the midst of battle, the display of Bhīma’s force momentarily unsettles even the proud, revealing how power and resolve can shake an adversary’s confidence.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a battlefield truth: disciplined strength and decisive action can disrupt an opponent’s mental balance. Even a powerful warrior like Duryodhana can be shaken when confronted with unmistakable signs of superior momentum and readiness.
During the mace-fight context of Śalya Parva, Bhīma is seen whirling his mace with extraordinary speed. Duryodhana, observing this display, becomes astonished—an immediate reaction that signals the intensity and stakes of the impending clash.