Shloka 41
युधिछिर उवाच यत्र द्रोणस्तथा भीष्मो द्रौणि्वैकर्तन: कृप: । दुर्योधनश्न राजेन्द्रस्तथान्ये च महारथा:,युधिष्ठिर बोले--जहाँ द्रोणाचार्य, भीष्म, अश्वत्थामा, कर्ण, कृपाचार्य राजा दुर्योधन तथा अन्य महारथी उपस्थित हों, वहाँ बृहन्नलाके सिवा दूसरा कौन पुरुष चाहे वह देवताओंसे घिरा हुआ साक्षात् देवराज इन्द्र ही क्यों न हो, उन सब संगठित वीरोंका सामना कर सकता है?
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca | yatra droṇas tathā bhīṣmo drauṇir vaikarṭanaḥ kṛpaḥ | duryodhanaś ca rājendra tathānye ca mahārathāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Where Droṇa and Bhīṣma stand, and Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa (Vaikarṭana), and Kṛpa; where King Duryodhana too is present, O best of kings, along with other great chariot-warriors—who, other than Bṛhannalā, could confront that united host of heroes, even if he were Indra himself surrounded by the gods?”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights sober discernment in dharma-guided leadership: one should realistically assess combined strength and not underestimate a united force of eminent warriors. It also elevates Bṛhannalā’s (Arjuna’s) exceptional capability, implying that true prowess is rare and must be recognized without arrogance.
Yudhiṣṭhira describes the formidable Kaurava lineup—Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Aśvatthāmā, Karṇa, Kṛpa, Duryodhana, and other mahārathas—and argues that facing such a consolidated host would be nearly impossible for anyone, even a god like Indra, except for Bṛhannalā.