Shloka 14
शल्यस्य सेनापत्याभ्युपगमः | Śalya’s Acceptance of Command
मध्यम: पाण्डवस्तीक्ष्णो भीमसेनो महाबल: । प्रतिज्ञातं च तेनोग्रं भज्येतापि न संनमेत्,“मझले पाण्डव महाबली भीमसेनका स्वभाव बड़ा ही कठोर है। उन्होंने बड़ी भयंकर प्रतिज्ञा की है। सूखे काठकी तरह वे टूट भले ही जाय, झुक नहीं सकते
madhyamaḥ pāṇḍavas tīkṣṇo bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ | pratijñātaṃ ca tenograṃ bhajyetāpi na saṃnamet ||
Sañjaya dit : «Bhīmasena, le frère du milieu des Pāṇḍava, est farouche et d’une force immense. Il a prononcé un vœu redoutable : dût-il se briser comme du bois sec, il ne pliera pas.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness to one’s vow as a central warrior-ethic: integrity is measured by refusing to yield even under extreme pressure. It also hints at the moral weight—and danger—of terrible vows in war, where personal resolve can drive both justice and excess.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s temperament and the severity of his pledged intention, emphasizing that Bhīma is unbending. This characterization prepares the listener to expect decisive, relentless action from Bhīma in the unfolding battles of the Śalya Parva.