FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.79.25

गदापाणी उभौ द‍ृष्ट्वा संरब्धौ विजयैषिणौ । मण्डलानि विचित्राणि चरन्ताविदमब्रवीत् ॥ २५ ॥
gadā-pāṇī ubhau dṛṣṭvā
[gadaa-paanee ubhau drishtvaa]
saṁrabdhau vijayaiṣiṇau
[samrabdhau vijayaishinau]
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi
[mandalaani vichitraani]
carantāv idam abravīt
[charantaav idam abraveet]
gadā — with clubs pāṇī — in their hands ubhau — both of them, Duryodhana and Bhīma dṛṣṭvā — seeing saṁrabdhau — furious vijaya — victory eṣiṇau — striving for maṇḍalāni — circles vicitrāṇi — artistic carantau — moving in idam — this abravīt — He said .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
gadā-pāṇī ubhau dṛṣṭvā
gadā
with clubs
pāṇī
in their hands
ubhau
both of them, Duryodhana and Bhīma
dṛṣṭvā
seeing
saṁrabdhau vijayaiṣiṇau
saṁrabdhau
furious
vijaya
victory
eṣiṇau
striving for
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi
maṇḍalāni
circles
vicitrāṇi
artistic
carantāv idam abravīt
carantau
moving in
idam
this
abravīt
He said .
  • saṁrabdhau — furious (dual)
    Past participle dual of sam + √rabh, 'utterly inflamed.' Both warriors are in identical rage — the grammar's dual form mirrors their identical posture in the duel-circle. There is no asymmetry yet for Balarāma's eye to read, which is exactly the problem the next verse will name.
  • maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi — artistic circles
    Phrase: maṇḍala (circle) + vicitra (varied, beautiful). The technical term for the footwork patterns of gadā-yuddha. The verse pauses to admire the technique — even at the end of the war, the art the Lord taught is being executed with grace. The aesthetic recognition is what makes the upcoming refusal so painful.
  • vijaya-eṣiṇau — both seeking victory
    Compound dual: vijaya (victory) + eṣin (seeker). The dual again — both seek the same victory. The Bhāgavatam's grammar refuses to take one side. Balarāma will speak from inside that grammatical symmetry.
  • gadā-pāṇī — with clubs in their hands (dual)
    Compound dual: gadā (club) + pāṇi (hand). Bhīma and Duryodhana are named first by their weapon, not their party. Inside the duel-circle, faction has already collapsed; only the two clubs remain. Balarāma will address what the circle actually contains, not what each man's banner once said.
Lord Balarāma found Duryodhana and Bhīma with clubs in their hands, each furiously striving for victory over the other as they circled about skillfully. The Lord addressed them as follows.
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Lord Balarāma found Duryodhana and Bhīma with clubs in their hands, each furiously striving for victory over the other as they circled about skillfully. The Lord addressed them as follows.
Jīva Gosvāmī Gauḍīya
Commentary

He saw them, both angry (saṁrabdhau), each desiring victory, moving about in various ways with their clubs. Because of this he spoke. Or in spite of this he spoke.

Related values
Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender to God)Seva (Service / Selfless Action)Vinaya (Humility / Modesty)Tapas (Austerity / Discipline)Anahankarah (Freedom from False Ego)Daksya (Resourcefulness / Skill)
Related verses
Concepts
ChitJiva
Balarāma found Duryodhana and Bhīma circling skillfully, each striving for victory. He addressed them directly. Skilled opposition deserves direct address; we don't whisper around the fight.
Reflection Questions
  • What fight in my circle deserves a direct, named address?
  • Where am I being indirect when straight speech is owed?

Two club-fighters circling each other in artistic patterns — maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi — is the picture of trained gadā-yuddha at its most beautiful, and the picture of two brothers' grief at its most disfigured. The art the Lord taught them has become the form of their mutual hatred. Balarāma watches a moment, lets the circle complete, and then speaks.

📝 My note

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