Shloka 24
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
ततस्तौ नरशार्दूलौ बाहुयुद्धं समीयतु:
tatastau naraśārdūlau bāhuyuddhaṃ samīyatuḥ
Pagdaka’y nagsalubong ang dalawang lalaking tila tigre upang magtagisan sa lakas ng bisig—harapang sagupaan, kamay sa kamay. Binibigyang-diin ng salaysay ang dharma ng mandirigma: kapag hindi na sapat ang salita at agwat, ang tunggalian ay tinatanggap nang magkaharap, sinusubok ang lakas, paninindigan, at pagpipigil sa loob ng asal-kṣatriya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of confronting conflict directly and courageously. By moving into bāhuyuddha (hand-to-hand combat), the narrative emphasizes personal valor and disciplined force—strength governed by warrior duty rather than mere aggression.
Vaiśampāyana describes a shift from earlier modes of engagement to close combat: the two heroic opponents come together and begin fighting with their arms, signaling an intensification of the encounter.