Shloka 38
मोक्षयित्वा प्रहारं त॑ सुतस्तव सुसम्भ्रमात् भीमसेनं च गदया प्राहरत् कुरुसत्तम,कुरुश्रेष्ठ! उस प्रहारसे अपनेको बचाकर आपके पुत्रने भीमसेनपर बड़े वेगसे गदाद्वारा आघात किया
mokṣayitvā prahāraṃ taṃ sutastava susambhramāt bhīmasenaṃ ca gadayā prāharat kurusattama
हे कुरुश्रेष्ठ! तो प्रहार चुकवून आपला पुत्र तत्परतेने मोठ्या वेगाने गदेद्वारे भीमसेनावर घाव घातला.
वायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights battlefield vigilance and decisive action: escaping an incoming strike requires composure and quick judgment, and the counterblow follows immediately. Ethically, it reflects the severe kṣatriya framework where skill and resolve operate within the obligations of war, even when the conflict itself is tragic.
In the mace-duel sequence, Duryodhana (addressed indirectly as 'your son') avoids a blow and then retaliates by striking Bhīmasena powerfully with his mace, intensifying the exchange.