Śalya-parva Adhyāya 34: Balarāma’s Withdrawal, Sarasvatī Pilgrimage Logistics, and Prabhāsa as Soma’s Renewal Tīrtha
युद्धभूमिं गती वीरावुभावेव रराजतु: । तदनन्तर गदा हाथमें लेकर दुर्योधन और भीमसेन युद्ध-भूमिमें उतरे। वे दोनों ही वीर वहाँ बड़ी शोभा पा रहे थे
yuddhabhūmiṁ gatī vīrāv ubhāv eva rarājatuḥ | tad-anantaraṁ gadāṁ hastayoḥ gṛhītvā duryodhanaś ca bhīmasenaś ca yuddhabhūmim avataratām | tau ubhau vīrau tatra mahā-śobhāṁ prāptau ||
Sinabi ni Sañjaya: Ang dalawang bayani, pagdating sa larangan ng digmaan, ay nagningning sa karangalan. Pagkaraan, si Duryodhana at si Bhimasena, na may hawak na mga gada, ay bumaba sa tanghalan ng labanan. Kapwa sila tumindig doon sa kahanga-hangang anyo—isang madilim na paunang hudyat sa duwelong paglalabanan ng personal na poot at tungkuling panghari sa ilalim ng mahigpit na hinihingi ng kṣatriya-dharma.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the tension between outward martial glory and the grave ethical weight of war: even when warriors appear radiant and heroic, the battlefield remains a place where dharma is tested and consequences are irreversible.
Sañjaya describes Duryodhana and Bhīmasena entering the battlefield with maces in hand, both appearing splendid as they prepare for the climactic mace-fight.