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Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 30

Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa

Resolve for the Mace Duel

|| अस्त्राणामपि पर्यायं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति मानवा:

astrāṇām api paryāyaṁ kartum icchanti mānavāḥ

Дурьодхана сказал: «Даже с оружием люди ищут перемены хода—желают повернуть течение и вернуть себе преимущество». В нравственной тени войны эта строка намекает на беспокойный человеческий порыв обратить судьбу вспять любыми средствами, вместо того чтобы принять ответственность и последствия.

अस्त्राणाम्of weapons
अस्त्राणाम्:
Sambandha
TypeNoun
Rootअस्त्र
FormNeuter, Genitive, Plural
अपिeven/also
अपि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअपि
पर्यायम्a change/alternation; a substitute/variant
पर्यायम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपर्याय
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
कर्तुम्to do; to make
कर्तुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ
FormTumun (infinitive)
इच्छन्तिthey desire/wish
इच्छन्ति:
TypeVerb
Rootइष्
FormPresent, Third, Plural, Parasmaipada
मानवाःmen; humans
मानवाः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootमानव
FormMasculine, Nominative, Plural

दुर्योधन उवाच

D
Duryodhana
W
weapons (astra)

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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