Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 1
Gadā-yuddhe Bhīma–Duryodhanayoḥ Tumulaḥ Saṃprahāraḥ
Mace-duel’s intense exchange
ऑपनक्रात बछ। ््ज्टस:
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato vāgyuddham abhavat tumulaṃ janamejaya | yatra duḥkhānvito rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd idam |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Kemudian, wahai Janamejaya, tercetuslah pertarungan kata-kata yang ganas dan bergemuruh. Mendengar pertukaran itu, Raja Dhṛtarāṣṭra dilanda dukacita lalu berkata kepada Sañjaya demikian—kerana pertembungan lidah itu sudah pun membayangkan pertembungan senjata yang bakal tiba, serta keruntuhan dharma akibat keangkuhan yang degil.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A verbal duel is not morally neutral: harsh speech fueled by pride and hatred becomes a prelude to violence. Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s grief highlights the ethical consequence of failed kingship—when attachment and partiality allow adharma to grow, even words become weapons and lead to irreversible ruin.
The narrator announces that Bhīma and Duryodhana begin a fierce exchange of words. Hearing this, Dhṛtarāṣṭra becomes deeply distressed and addresses Sañjaya, setting up his anxious reactions as the confrontation moves toward the mace-fight.