Shloka 40
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
Devanagari script
गदाहस्तं तु तं दृष्टवा सशृुदड्भमिव पर्वतम्
Transliteration
gadāhastaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā saśṛṅgam iva parvatam
Translation
サञ्जयは語った。ガダーを手にした彼を見て――峰々を戴く山のように――戦士たちは、恐るべき、揺るぎない力の姿を目の当たりにした。それは、力と決意が瞬間を支配する、戦の残酷な激化を象徴していた。
Word by Word
गदाहस्तम्having a mace in (his) hand; mace-handed
गदाहस्तम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootगदाहस्त
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
तम्him/that one
तम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
दृष्ट्वाhaving seen
दृष्ट्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootदृश्
Formक्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)
साश्रुदग्धम्burnt/scorched with tears
साश्रुदग्धम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootसाश्रुदग्ध
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
इवlike/as if
इव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव
पर्वतम्mountain
पर्वतम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपर्वत
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
Speaker
संजय उवाच
Characters & Entities
S
SañjayaM
mace (gadā)M
mountain (parvata)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Geographic Context
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward power and weapon-bearing presence can shape the moral atmosphere of battle—evoking awe and fear—reminding readers that war often magnifies force over discernment, and that ethical steadiness is tested amid displays of might.
Sañjaya describes someone appearing on the battlefield holding a mace; his imposing form is compared to a peak-crowned mountain, signaling a formidable combatant entering or standing ready for combat.