Shloka 23
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
अपरस्मिन् वनोद्देशे वीरोी शल्यवृकोदरौ
aparasmin vanoddeśe vīrau śalya-vṛkodarau | anyonyaṃ lalakārāte dvau mattāv iva gajarājau yuddham ācaratām | ubhau vidyā-bala-yuddha-kalā-sampannau ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: En otro paraje del bosque, Śalya y Vṛkodara (Bhīma), ambos héroes poderosos, hicieron de aquel sitio su campo de batalla. Retándose mutuamente, lucharon como dos elefantes señoriales embriagados. Cada uno estaba consumado en el saber marcial, la fuerza física y las artes de la guerra.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined prowess: true strength is not mere aggression but trained capability—vidyā (skill), bala (power), and yuddha-kalā (tactical art). Even in fierce rivalry, excellence is measured by mastery and courage rather than cruelty.
Vaiśampāyana describes Śalya and Bhīma (Vṛkodara) fighting in another part of the forest. They challenge each other and battle intensely, compared to two rutting elephant-kings, emphasizing their equal might and refined warcraft.