Shloka 9
Droṇa’s Defensive Stand and Abhimanyu Commissioned to Breach the Cakravyūha (द्रोणानीक-प्रतिरोधः; सौभद्र-नियोजनम्)
युधिष्ठिरस्य वीर्येण कृष्णस्य चरितेन च । कर्मभिर्भीमसेनस्य सदृशो भीमकर्मण:,युधिष्ठिरके पराक्रम, श्रीकृष्णके उत्तम चरित्र एवं भयंकर कर्म करनेवाले भीमसेनके वीरोचित कर्मोके समान ही अभिमन्युके भी पराक्रम, चरित्र और कर्म थे
yudhiṣṭhirasya vīryeṇa kṛṣṇasya caritena ca | karmabhir bhīmasenasya sadṛśo bhīmakarmaṇaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: In valor like Yudhiṣṭhira, in noble conduct like Kṛṣṇa, and in deeds like Bhīmasena, the mighty warrior was his equal—matching them in courage, character, and formidable action.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal warrior excellence as a harmony of three virtues: righteous valor (Yudhiṣṭhira), exemplary character and guidance (Kṛṣṇa), and decisive, formidable action (Bhīma). True greatness is not mere strength but strength governed by dharma and noble conduct.
Sañjaya is praising a mighty warrior—understood in context as Abhimanyu—by comparing him to leading figures of the Pāṇḍavas and their ally: he matches Yudhiṣṭhira in courage, Kṛṣṇa in noble conduct, and Bhīma in powerful deeds, underscoring Abhimanyu’s exceptional stature in the war.