Shloka 58
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
यद्येकस्तु न हन्तव्यो बहुभिर्धर्म एव तु । तदाभिमन्युं बहवो निजघ्नुस्त्वन्मते कथम्
yady ekas tu na hantavyo bahubhir dharma eva tu | tadābhimanyuṃ bahavo nijaghnus tvanmate kathaṃ ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「もし『多くの者が一人の戦士を討ってはならぬ』というのがまことのダルマであるなら、そなた自身の判断に照らして、なぜ多くの戦士が力を合わせてアビマンニュを討ったのだ。正しく戦う英雄には最高の到達としてインドラの世界があると言いながら、この行いは公正な戦いの掟そのものに背くように見える。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the consistency of dharma in warfare: if righteous combat forbids many attacking one, then the collective killing of Abhimanyu becomes an ethical breach. It highlights the tension between proclaimed ideals of just war and actions driven by expediency.
Yudhiṣṭhira challenges the opposing side’s moral reasoning, pointing to Abhimanyu’s death—caused by multiple warriors together—as evidence that their conduct contradicted accepted rules of fair battle, even while they claim heavenly reward for righteous fighters.