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Shloka 376

Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57

परिवृत्ते5हनि क्रूरं वृत्रवासवयोरिव । इस प्रकार दिनकी समाप्तिके समय, उन दोनों वीरोंमें प्रकटरूपमें वृत्रासुर और इन्द्रके समान क्रूरतापूर्ण एवं भयंकर युद्ध होने लगा

parivṛtte 'hani krūraṁ vṛtrāvāsavayor iva |

サञ्जयは言った。日が暮れゆくころ、あの二人の勇士のあいだに、凄惨で恐るべき戦いがあらわとなった――それは、ヴリトラとヴァーサヴァ(インドラ)との凄絶な衝突にも比すべきものである。薄れゆく光の中で闘争はさらに硬く締まり、忍耐と決意を試す試練となる。そこでは武勇が示されるが、戦の残酷さが負う道義の重みは少しも和らがない。

परिवृत्तेwhen (the day) had ended / at the turning (of the day)
परिवृत्ते:
Adhikarana
TypeAdjective
Rootपरिवृत्त (परि+वृत्)
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
अहनिin the day
अहनि:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootअहन्
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
क्रूरम्cruel, fierce
क्रूरम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootक्रूर
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
वृत्रवासवयोःof Vṛtra and Vāsava (Indra)
वृत्रवासवयोः:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootवृत्र-वासव
FormMasculine, Genitive, Dual
इवlike, as
इव:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइव

संजय उवाच

S
Sañjaya
V
Vṛtra
V
Vāsava (Indra)

Educational Q&A

The verse underscores how war intensifies as time presses—valor may shine, yet the narrative does not romanticize battle; it highlights its inherent cruelty. By invoking the Vṛtra–Indra archetype, it frames the duel as a cosmic-scale confrontation, reminding the listener that human conflict can mirror mythic forces of destruction and duty.

At the close of the day, two principal warriors (implied by context) engage in an openly fierce and terrifying fight. Sañjaya describes the scene to Dhṛtarāṣṭra using a well-known mythic comparison: their clash resembles the dreadful battle between Vṛtra and Indra.