Shloka 12
Bhīmasena’s Eastern Digvijaya and the Cedi Reception
Sabhā-parva 26
अहं सखा महेन्द्रस्य शक्रादनवरो रणे । न शक्ष्यामि च ते तात स्थातुं प्रमुखतो युधि
ahaṃ sakhā mahendrasya śakrād anavaro raṇe | na śakṣyāmi ca te tāta sthātuṃ pramukhato yudhi ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন— “আমি মহেন্দ্র (ইন্দ্র)-এর বন্ধু, আর রণে শক্রের চেয়েও ন্যূন নই; তবু, বৎস, যুদ্ধের অগ্রভাগে তোমার সম্মুখে দাঁড়াতে পারব না।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and status—even equality with Indra in battle—do not override moral limits; the verse highlights restraint and the refusal to confront someone directly when ethical or relational considerations forbid it.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a speaker declares his exceptional martial capability and closeness to Indra, but admits he cannot stand face-to-face against the addressed ‘child’ in battle, indicating a decisive reluctance rooted in duty, affection, or propriety.