Shloka 9
अहमेते निगृल्लीयां बाहुभ्यां सचराचरे । यदि ये दोनों लोक सहसा कुपित होकर दो शिलाओंकी भाँति परस्पर टकराने लगें, तो मैं चराचर प्राणियोंसहित इन्हें अपनी दोनों भुजाओंसे रोक सकता हूँ ।। ८ हू ।। पश्यैतदन्तरं बाद्वोर्महापरिघयोरिव
aham ete nigṛhlīyāṃ bāhubhyāṃ sacarācare | yadi ye dvau lokau sahasā kupitau bhūtvā dve śilā iva parasparaṃ ṭakarāṇe lagetām, tato 'haṃ sacarācaraiḥ prāṇibhiḥ sārdham etau mama bāhubhyāṃ roddhuṃ śaknomi || paśyaitad antaraṃ bāhvor mahāparighayor iva ||
Bhīmasena declares his overwhelming strength: even if the two worlds, suddenly enraged, were to crash into each other like two massive rocks, he could hold them back with his own arms, along with all moving and unmoving beings. He urges the listeners to behold the space between his arms, like the gap between two great iron clubs—an image meant to intimidate opponents and rally allies in the tense pre-war deliberations.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of fearless resolve and protective power, but also shows how martial pride and intimidation are used rhetorically in diplomacy on the brink of war.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations, Bhīma speaks forcefully to assert the Pāṇḍavas’ strength and determination, warning that he can restrain even cosmic forces—an exaggerated claim meant to deter the enemy and embolden his side.