Shloka 256
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
आह्वयामास नृपतिं सिंहं सिंहो यथा वने । उसी प्रकार पराक्रमी भीमसेनने लोहेकी गदा लेकर राजा दुर्योधनको ललकारा, मानो वनमें एक सिंह दूसरे सिंहको पुकार रहा हो
sañjaya uvāca | āhvayāmāsa nṛpatiṃ siṃhaṃ siṃho yathā vane |
Wika ni Sañjaya: Gaya ng isang leon na tumatawag sa kapwa leon sa gubat, si makapangyarihang Bhīmasena, tangan ang bakal na pamalo, ay humamon kay Haring Duryodhana. Ipinapahiwatig ng larawang ito ang sukdulang harapang sagupaan ng lakas at paninindigan sa bigat na moral ng digmaang magkakapatid, kung saan nagbabanggaan ang dangal ng hari at ang tungkuling kṣatriya sa huling pagsubok ng kagitingan.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ethos of direct, public challenge in battle, while implicitly pointing to the ethical tension of the Kurukṣetra war: immense personal valor is exercised within a tragic conflict driven by pride and rivalry. The lion-simile elevates courage and parity of opponents, even as the narrative warns how royal arrogance and unresolved enmity culminate in destructive confrontation.
Sañjaya narrates that Bhīma, armed with an iron mace, calls out and challenges King Duryodhana to fight. The comparison to one lion calling another in the forest signals that the encounter is a decisive duel between two formidable warriors.