Shloka 383
Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
चरंश्रित्रतरान् मार्गान् कौन्तेयमभिदुद्रुवे । तदनन्तर विचित्र मार्गोंसे विचरते हुए आपके महाबली पुत्रने कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेनको खड़ा देख उनपर सहसा आक्रमण किया
caraṁś citratarān mārgān kaunteyam abhidudruve | tadanantaram vicitra-mārgaiḥ sañcaran tava mahābalī putro bhīmasenaṁ kuntīkumāraṁ sthitam apaśyat, taṁ ca sahasā abhyakrāmat |
Sañjaya said: Moving along exceedingly varied routes, he rushed toward the son of Kuntī. Then, as your mighty son ranged through those shifting paths, he saw Bhīmasena, Kuntī’s son, standing firm, and in a sudden surge of battle-intent he launched an attack upon him—an act that underscores how, in war, resolve and impulse collide, and strength is tested against steadfastness.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the battlefield ethic where a warrior’s strength is measured not only by power but by decisiveness and the ability to confront a steadfast opponent; it also shows how sudden aggression (sahasā) can drive encounters that test dharma through conduct in combat.
Sañjaya reports that a mighty Kaurava (addressed as Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son) moves through varied routes, spots Bhīma standing ready, and immediately rushes to attack him.