Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 183

Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa

Resolve for the Mace Duel

Devanagari script

तेजसा नाशयिष्यामि स्थिरीभवत पाण्डवा: । 'पाण्डवो! स्थिर होकर खड़े रहो। आज मैं अस्त्र-शस्त्र एवं रथसे हीन होकर भी घोड़ों और रथोंपर चढ़कर आये हुए तुम सब लोगोंको उसी तरह अपने तेजसे नष्ट कर दूँगा

Transliteration

tejasā nāśayiṣyāmi sthirībhavata pāṇḍavāḥ |

Translation

Санджая сказал: «Стойте твёрдо, о Пандавы. Сегодня, хотя я лишён оружия и колесницы, я всё же уничтожу вас всех одной лишь силой своего сияния — как в конце ночи Солнце своим светом делает невидимыми все звёзды».

Word by Word

• तेजसा: by (my) splendor/power
• तेजसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• नाशयिष्यामि: I will destroy
• नाशयिष्यामि: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: नाशय् (णिच्) < नश्
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada

• स्थिरीभवत: be firm / stand steady
• स्थिरीभवत: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्थिरीभू
• Form: Imperative (Loṭ), 2nd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• पाण्डवाः: O Pāṇḍavas
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाण्डव
• Form: Masculine, Vocative, Plural

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Pāṇḍavas
• Sūrya (Sun)
• nakṣatrāṇi (stars)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the battlefield ethic of steadfastness (sthairya) under threat and the use of ‘tejas’—inner force, confidence, and commanding presence—as a decisive factor in conflict. It also cautions that power can be asserted through intimidation and psychological dominance, not only through external weapons.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the Shalya Parva war setting, a speaker issues a challenge to the Pāṇḍavas, urging them to stand firm while proclaiming he will annihilate them through sheer ‘tejas,’ illustrated by the simile of the Sun eclipsing the stars at dawn.