Shloka 286
गदया ताडयामास सा गदा भीममाव्रजत् । ज्वालासे व्याप्त हुई उस गदाको वेगसे आती देख अलायुधने उसपर अपनी गदासे आघात किया। फिर वह गदा भीमके पास ही लौट आयी
sañjaya uvāca | gadayā tāḍayāmāsa sā gadā bhīmam āvrajat |
सञ्जय उवाच— स गदया ताडयामास, सा गदा ज्वालासंव्याप्ता वेगेन भीममभ्यव्रजत्। तामापतन्तीं दृष्ट्वा अलायुधोऽपि स्वगदया तामाहत्य निरवारयत्; तथापि सा गदा पुनरेव भीमसमीपं प्रत्यागच्छत्।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
In the battlefield context, a kṣatriya must respond to aggression with steadfast courage and skill; effort (puruṣakāra) is required even when the tide of combat appears driven by momentum and fate.
A mace is hurled/propelled toward Bhīma; Alāyudha intercepts it by striking with his own mace, but the weapon nevertheless returns to Bhīma, indicating Bhīma’s advantage and the continuing intensity of the duel.