Shloka 12
उद्यम्य मन्दरं दोर्भ्या वहेत्ू सवनकाननम् | चतुष्पथगदायुद्धे सर्वप्रहरणेषु च,वे अपने दोनों हाथोंद्वारा उपवनों और काननोंसहित मन्दराचलको उठाकर ले जानेकी शक्ति रखते थे। गदायुद्धके प्रक्षेप5, विक्षेप*, परिक्षेपट, और अभिक्षेप*---इन चारों प्रकारोंमें कुशल तथा सम्पूर्ण अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंकी विद्यामें अत्यन्त निपुण थे। घोड़े और हाथीकी पीठपर बैठनेकी कलामें वे अत्यन्त प्रवीण थे। बलमें भगवान् विष्णुके समान और तेजमें भगवान् सूर्यके सदृश थे
udyamya mandaraṃ dorbhyā vahet sa-vanakānanam | catuṣpatha-gadāyuddhe sarva-praharaṇeṣu ca ||
Vaiśampāyana said: He had the strength to lift Mount Mandara with both arms and carry it along with its groves and forests. In the fourfold discipline of mace-combat at the crossroads arena, and in the use of every kind of weapon and implement of war, he was thoroughly accomplished—an exemplar of martial power directed by skill and training rather than mere brute force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises a warrior ideal where immense physical power is matched by disciplined mastery of weapons; strength is ethically meaningful when governed by skill, training, and restraint rather than uncontrolled violence.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a hero’s extraordinary prowess: he is so strong he could carry Mount Mandara with its forests, and he is expertly trained in mace-fighting and in the full range of weapons.