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 disse: Então, ó Janamejaya, ergueu-se uma guerra de palavras, feroz e tumultuosa. Ao ouvir aquela troca, o rei Dhṛtarāṣṭra, tomado de tristeza, falou assim a Sañjaya—pois o choque das falas já prenunciava o choque iminente das armas e a ruína moral trazida pelo orgulho obstinado.
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.