Shloka 14
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 55 — Sañjaya’s Report on Pāṇḍava Readiness and Arjuna’s Dhvaja
तथा राज्ञो दन्तवर्णा बृहन्तो रथे युक्ता भान्ति ठद्दीर्यतुल्या: । ऋक्षप्रख्या भीमसेनस्य वाहा रथे वायोस्तुल्यवेगा बभूवु:
tathā rājño dantavarṇā bṛhanto rathe yuktā bhānti taddhīryatulyaḥ | ṛkṣaprakhyā bhīmasenasya vāhā rathe vāyostulyavegā babhūvuḥ ||
Sañjaya dijo: «Asimismo, los grandes caballos del rey—blancos como el marfil—uncidos a su carro, resplandecen con espléndida belleza y una firmeza sin igual. Los corceles de Bhīmasena son oscuros como osos; una vez enganchados a su carro, se lanzan hacia delante con velocidad igual al viento».
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined strength: outward signs of power (splendid, swift steeds) are tied to inner steadiness (dhairya). In the Udyoga context, such readiness implies that entering war is not mere aggression but a grave, dharma-laden resolve requiring control, endurance, and responsibility.
Sañjaya is describing the chariots and horses of the Pāṇḍava leaders. He notes Yudhiṣṭhira’s large ivory-white horses shining in harness, and Bhīma’s bear-dark horses that, once yoked, race with wind-like speed—signaling mobilization and imminent confrontation.