Shloka 46
Vāg-yuddha and Nimitta-darśana before the Gadāyuddha
Verbal Duel and Omens
श्र॒त्वा दुर्योधनवच: प्रत्यपद्यन्त तत्तथा
sañjaya uvāca | śrutvā duryodhana-vacaḥ pratyapadyanta tat tathā | tato rājñāṃ sa mahān saṃghas tatra sarvata upāviśat | nṛpāṇāṃ sā maṇḍalī dyauḥ-sthaṃ sūryamaṇḍalam iva babhāse | teṣāṃ madhye bhagavataḥ śrīkṛṣṇasya bṛhad-bhrātā tejasvī mahābāhur balarāmo vyarājata | mahārāja sarvataḥ saṃmānito nīlāmbara-dharo gaurakāntir balabhadro rājñāṃ madhye tathā śuśubhe yathā rātrau nakṣatra-parivṛtaḥ pūrṇacandraḥ ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: “Nang marinig ang mga salita ni Duryodhana, ang nagkatipong mga hari ay sumang-ayon ayon doon. Pagkaraan, ang napakalaking pulutong ng mga pinuno ay naupo sa paligid sa lahat ng panig. Ang bilog ng mga monarka ay wari’y orb ng araw sa langit. Sa gitna nila ay nagningning si Balarāma—makapangyarihan ang mga bisig, maningning, at iginagalang na nakatatandang kapatid ng Panginoong Śrī Kṛṣṇa. O Hari, pinararangalan mula sa bawat dako, si Balabhadra na nakadamit bughaw at maputi ang ningning ay marilag sa gitna ng mga hari, gaya ng kabilugang buwan sa gabi na napalilibutan ng mga bituin.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical power of social consensus and honor in royal politics: once a leader’s proposal is accepted, the assembly’s order and hierarchy become visible, and true eminence is marked not merely by authority but by the respect freely offered by others—here embodied in Balarāma’s honored, luminous presence.
After Duryodhana speaks, the gathered kings agree and take their seats around him. The assembly is described through cosmic similes (sun-orb, moon among stars). In the center sits Balarāma, Kṛṣṇa’s elder brother, distinguished by his radiance, attire, and the universal respect shown to him.