Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 30
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
|| अस्त्राणामपि पर्यायं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति मानवा:
astrāṇām api paryāyaṁ kartum icchanti mānavāḥ
“ମନୁଷ୍ୟମାନେ ଅସ୍ତ୍ରରେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟାୟ ବଦଳାଇବାକୁ ଚାହାନ୍ତି—ପରିସ୍ଥିତିକୁ ପୁଣି ନିଜ ପକ୍ଷକୁ ଫେରାଇବା ଆଶାରେ।”
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse points to a common human tendency in conflict: people try to ‘change the turn’—to reverse disadvantage and seize a new opening. Ethically, it can be read as a warning that the desire to manipulate outcomes may override steadiness, accountability, and restraint.
In Shalya Parva’s battle context, Duryodhana comments on how fighters and leaders look for a shift in momentum—seeking an alternation of advantage even amid the use of weapons—reflecting the tactical, unstable nature of the war.
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