अध्याय ५८ — वानरध्वजस्य महेन्द्रास्त्रप्रयोगः
Chapter 58: Arjuna’s Deployment of the Indra-Weapon
तयो: समभवद् युद्ध तुमुलं भरतर्षभ । द्रोणकौन्तेययोस्तत्र बलिवासवयोरिव,भरतश्रेष्ठ जनमेजय! तदनन्तर द्रोण और कुन्तीपुत्रमें बलि और इन्द्रके संग्राम-सा तुमुल युद्ध होने लगा
tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṁ tumulaṁ bharatarṣabha | droṇakauṇteyayos tatra balivāsavayor iva || bharataśreṣṭha janamejaya tad-anantaraṁ droṇaḥ ca kuntīputraḥ ca balīndrayor iva saṅgrāma-sadṛśaṁ tumulaṁ yuddhaṁ cakratuḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Sa pagitan nilang dalawa ay sumiklab ang isang mabagsik at umuugong na labanan, O toro sa angkan ng Bharata. Doon, ang sagupaan nina Droṇa at ng anak ni Kuntī ay nagngangalit na parang maalamat na digmaan nina Bali at Vāsava (Indra). O Janamejaya, pinakamainam sa mga Bharata! Pagkaraan, si Droṇa at ang bayani na isinilang kay Kuntī ay nagharap sa isang kulog na pakikipaglaban, maihahambing sa mitikong tunggaliang iyon.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the epic ideal of kṣatriya-dharma: when duty calls, warriors meet in open contest with steadfastness and skill. By invoking the Bali–Indra paradigm, it frames the encounter as a morally weighty trial of power and resolve, where personal prowess is measured against the larger order of dharma and reputation.
Vaiśampāyana describes a fierce duel erupting between Droṇa and a son of Kuntī. The fight is portrayed as extraordinarily intense, likened to the famed battle between Bali and Indra, emphasizing the scale and ferocity of the clash.