Shloka 2
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
धृतराष्ट्र रवाच राम॑ संनिहितं दृष्टवा गदायुद्ध उपस्थिते । मम पुत्र: कथं भीम॑ प्रत्ययुध्यत संजय,धृतराष्ट्र बोले--संजय! गदायुद्ध उपस्थित होनेपर बलरामजीको निकट आया देख मेरे पुत्रने भीमसेनके साथ किस प्रकार युद्ध किया?
Dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca—Rāmaṃ saṃnihitaṃ dṛṣṭvā gadāyuddha upasthite | mama putraḥ kathaṃ Bhīmaṃ pratyayudhyata Sañjaya ||
ധൃതരാഷ്ട്രൻ പറഞ്ഞു—സഞ്ജയാ! ഗദായുദ്ധം ആരംഭിച്ചപ്പോൾ രാമൻ (ബലരാമൻ) സമീപത്ത് നിൽക്കുന്നതു കണ്ടിട്ട്, എന്റെ പുത്രൻ ഭീമനോടു എങ്ങനെ പ്രതിയുദ്ധം ചെയ്തു?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how attachment and partiality shape perception in war: Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s concern is centered on “my son,” even as a formal duel unfolds under the scrutiny of an eminent elder (Balarāma). It sets up reflection on the ethics of regulated combat (gadāyuddha) and the role of respected witnesses in upholding—or questioning—dharma in battle.
As the climactic mace-duel between Bhīma and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (Duryodhana) is underway, Dhṛtarāṣṭra asks Sañjaya to describe how Duryodhana fought, noting that Balarāma has come near and is observing the contest.