Gadāyuddhe Kṛṣṇopadeśaḥ (Kṛṣṇa’s Counsel in the Mace-Duel) — Śalya-parva 57
आधाूतां भीमसेनेन गदां दृष्टवा सुयोधन:
āhṛtāṃ bhīmasenena gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā suyodhanaḥ
سنجے نے کہا—بھیم سین کی لائی ہوئی گدا کو دیکھ کر سویودھن نے اسے غور سے پرکھا۔
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights how deliberate preparation for violence carries moral weight: weapons are not neutral when used to settle pride and rivalry. It foreshadows that choices made in anger and ambition culminate in irreversible consequences.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma has brought a mace, and Duryodhana notices it. This signals the imminent escalation toward the climactic mace-fight, heightening suspense as both sides ready themselves for a decisive encounter.