Shloka 28
Gadā-yuddhe Bhīma–Duryodhanayoḥ Tumulaḥ Saṃprahāraḥ
Mace-duel’s intense exchange
अभ्यतिष्ठत युद्धाय शक्रो वृत्रमिवाह्ययन् । नृपश्रेष्ठी ऐसा कहकर पराक्रमी भीमसेन हाथमें गदा ले युद्धके लिये खड़े हो गये और जैसे इन्द्रने वृत्रासुरको ललकारा था, उसी प्रकार वे दुर्योधनका आह्वान करने लगे ।।
sañjaya uvāca | abhyatiṣṭhata yuddhāya śakro vṛtram ivāhvayan | tam udyatagadaṃ dṛṣṭvā kailāsam iva śuddhiṇam ||
三阇耶说道：于是毗摩塞那挺身而出，立于战阵，向难敌发出挑战，正如因陀罗昔日挑战弗栗陀罗。见他高举铁杵——光耀而可畏，宛如凯拉萨山——对手所见，是一位蓄势待击的勇士；那是依正法而起的复仇之志，在残酷的战争伦理中燃烧。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of standing firm in battle and issuing a direct challenge, while also reminding the reader that even righteous anger and vengeance operate within the severe moral constraints of war—courage must be matched with responsibility for one’s actions and their consequences.
Bhīma steps forward with his mace raised and openly challenges Duryodhana, compared to Indra challenging Vṛtra. The imagery of Kailāsa underscores Bhīma’s imposing, radiant presence at the moment he prepares to strike.