Shloka 96
Chapter 137: Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki) Slays Somadatta; Yudhiṣṭhira Redirected from Droṇa
बलसंरम्भवीर्यज्ञा: कोपयिष्यन्ति संयुगे । वे भी वायुके तुल्य तेजस्वी भीमसेनके दस हजार हाथियोंके समान अत्यन्त घोर बलको तथा उनके क्रूरतापूर्ण निश्चयको जानते हैं; उनके बल, पराक्रम और क्रोधसे परिचित हैं। ऐसी दशामें वे यम, काल और अन्तकके समान क्रूर कर्म करनेवाले भीमसेनको युद्धमें अपने ऊपर कैसे कुपित करेंगे?
bala-saṁrambha-vīryajñāḥ kopayiṣyanti saṁyuge | te hi vāyuke tulyaṁ tejasvī bhīmasenasya daśa-sahasra-hastināṁ samam atyanta-ghoraṁ balaṁ tasya ca krūra-niścayaṁ jānanti; tasya bala-parākrama-krodhān paricayavantaḥ santi | evaṁ sthite yama-kāla-antaka-samaṁ krūra-karma-kāriṇaṁ bhīmasenaṁ yuddhe kathaṁ svayam ātmānaṁ prati kupitaṁ kariṣyanti? |
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Those who understand the surge of strength and the nature of valor—how will they provoke him to wrath in battle? For they know the blazing might of the radiant Bhīmasena, like the wind in force, dreadful as ten thousand elephants, and they know his ruthless resolve. Familiar with his strength, heroism, and anger, how, in such a situation, would they dare to enrage in war that Bhīma whose deeds, when roused, are cruel like Yama, Kāla, and Antaka?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical ethical restraint in warfare: those who truly understand a warrior’s nature and the catastrophic consequences of provoking uncontrolled wrath should avoid actions that needlessly escalate violence. It frames anger as a force akin to death itself, warning against reckless incitement.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra reflects on Bhīma’s terrifying power and temperament. He reasons that opponents who know Bhīma’s immense strength and ruthless resolve would hesitate to provoke him in battle, since an enraged Bhīma becomes as destructive as Yama, Kāla, and Antaka.