Shloka 21
ते तस्य वीर्य च बल॑ च दृष्टवा विद्याबलं बाहुबलं तथैव । अशवनुवन्त: सहितं समन्ताद् द्रुतं प्रवीरा: सहसा निवृत्ता:,भीमसेनका पराक्रम, शारीरिक बल, विद्याबल और बाहुबल देखकर वे वीर राक्षस एक साथ संगठित होकर भी उनका वेग सहनेमें असमर्थ हो गये और सहसा सब ओससे युद्ध छोड़कर निवृत्त हो गये
te tasya vīryaṃ ca balaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā vidyābalaṃ bāhubalaṃ tathaiva | aśaknuvantaḥ sahitaṃ samantād drutaṃ pravīrāḥ sahasā nivṛttāḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: Seeing his heroism and strength—his power born of knowledge as well as the might of his arms—the valiant foes, though gathered on every side, could not withstand his onrush. Swiftly and all at once, they turned back, abandoning the fight.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
True prowess is not merely physical force; it includes vidyā-bala—trained skill, insight, and disciplined capability. When such integrated strength is aligned with rightful courage, it can dissolve the unity and morale of aggressors.
The narrator describes opponents who had surrounded the hero in a group. After witnessing his combined might—valor, bodily power, and skilled strength—they find themselves unable to endure his attack and abruptly withdraw from the battle.