Shloka 8
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 73 — Kr̥ṣṇa’s Appraisal of Bhīma’s Altered Temper and Reaffirmation of Martial Resolve
दुर्योधनो हि यत्सेन: सर्वथा विदितस्तव । यच्छीलो यत्स्वभावश्न यद्धलो यत्पराक्रम:,भगवन! दुर्योधनकी सेना जैसी है, उसका शील और स्वभाव जैसा है, उसका बल और पराक्रम जिस प्रकारका है, वह सब कुछ आपको सब प्रकारसे ज्ञात है
duryodhano hi yatsenāḥ sarvathā viditastava | yacchīlo yatsvabhāvaś ca yadbalo yatparākramaḥ ||
Bhīma said: “You know Duryodhana completely—what his army is like in every respect, what his character and temperament are, and what sort of strength and valor he possesses.”
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethically, the verse stresses prudent discernment: before acting—especially in matters of war and diplomacy—one must clearly understand an opponent’s nature (svabhāva), conduct (śīla), and capabilities (bala, parākrama). It implies that wise leadership rests on accurate knowledge rather than impulse.
Bhīma addresses a revered figure (contextually, typically Kṛṣṇa in Udyoga Parva counsel scenes) and states that Duryodhana is fully known to him—his army’s condition and his personal traits and power—setting up advice or strategy regarding negotiations and the impending conflict.