Shloka 58
Bhīma–Duryodhana Gadāyuddha Saṃkalpa
Resolve for the Mace Duel
यद्येकस्तु न हन्तव्यो बहुभिर्धर्म एव तु । तदाभिमन्युं बहवो निजघ्नुस्त्वन्मते कथम्
yady ekas tu na hantavyo bahubhir dharma eva tu | tadābhimanyuṃ bahavo nijaghnus tvanmate kathaṃ ||
Wika ni Yudhiṣṭhira: “Kung tunay na dharma na hindi dapat pagkaisahan ng marami ang pagpatay sa iisang mandirigma, paano—ayon sa sarili mong paghatol—nagawang pagkaisahan at patayin ng marami si Abhimanyu? Sinasabi mo na ang pinakamataas na gantimpala, ang daigdig ni Indra, ay para sa mga bayani na lumalaban nang makatarungan; ngunit ang gawaing ito’y wari’y sumasalungat sa mismong tuntunin ng makatarungang labanan.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse probes the consistency of dharma in warfare: if righteous combat forbids many attacking one, then the collective killing of Abhimanyu becomes an ethical breach. It highlights the tension between proclaimed ideals of just war and actions driven by expediency.
Yudhiṣṭhira challenges the opposing side’s moral reasoning, pointing to Abhimanyu’s death—caused by multiple warriors together—as evidence that their conduct contradicted accepted rules of fair battle, even while they claim heavenly reward for righteous fighters.