Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 243
अध्याय ३: कृपस्य दुर्योधनं प्रति नीत्युपदेशः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Duryodhana
योधयामास कौन्तेयो भुजवीर्यमुपाश्रित: । युद्धधर्मके पालनकी इच्छा रखनेवाले कुन्तीकुमार भीमसेनने स्वयं रथपर बैठकर भूमिपर खड़े हुए पैदल सैनिकोंके साथ युद्ध करना उचित नहीं समझा। वे अपने बाहुबलका भरोसा करके उन सबके साथ पैदल ही जूझने लगे
sañjaya uvāca | yodhayāmāsa kaunteyo bhujavīryam upāśritaḥ |
Sañjaya said: Relying on the strength of his own arms, the son of Kuntī fought on. Though committed to the code of battle, Bhīmasena judged it improper to remain mounted on a chariot while engaging foot-soldiers standing on the ground; therefore, trusting his bodily prowess, he chose to grapple with them on foot, aligning his conduct with what he deemed fair in war.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights yuddha-dharma (ethical warfare): even amid violence, a warrior should avoid unfair advantage. Bhīma’s choice to fight on foot against foot-soldiers reflects an effort to keep combat proportionate and honorable.
Sañjaya reports that Bhīma (Kaunteya), trusting his arm-strength, continues fighting. Seeing infantry on the ground, he does not consider it proper to remain on a chariot against them, and so he engages them on foot.
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