Shloka 28
Gadā-yuddhe Bhīma–Duryodhanayoḥ Tumulaḥ Saṃprahāraḥ
Mace-duel’s intense exchange
अभ्यतिष्ठत युद्धाय शक्रो वृत्रमिवाह्ययन् । नृपश्रेष्ठी ऐसा कहकर पराक्रमी भीमसेन हाथमें गदा ले युद्धके लिये खड़े हो गये और जैसे इन्द्रने वृत्रासुरको ललकारा था, उसी प्रकार वे दुर्योधनका आह्वान करने लगे ।।
sañjaya uvāca | abhyatiṣṭhata yuddhāya śakro vṛtram ivāhvayan | tam udyatagadaṃ dṛṣṭvā kailāsam iva śuddhiṇam ||
Sañjaya berkata: Lalu Bhīmasena tampil ke hadapan, berdiri siap untuk berperang, mencabar Duryodhana sebagaimana Indra dahulu mencabar Vṛtra. Melihatnya mengangkat gada—bersinar dan menggerunkan laksana Gunung Kailāsa—lawan pun menyaksikan seorang pahlawan yang sedia menghentam, lambang tekad pembalasan yang dianggap benar dalam etika perang yang kelam.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of standing firm in battle and issuing a direct challenge, while also reminding the reader that even righteous anger and vengeance operate within the severe moral constraints of war—courage must be matched with responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences.
Bhīma steps forward with his mace raised and openly challenges Duryodhana, compared to Indra challenging Vṛtra. The imagery of Kailāsa underscores Bhīma’s imposing, radiant presence at the moment he prepares to strike.