Shloka 16
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 137 — Bhīṣma–Droṇa Counsel and the Ethics of Restraint
“जिनके कंधे सिंहके समान और भुजाएँ बड़ी, गोलाकार तथा अधिक मोटी हैं, वे योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीमसेन भी तुम्हें अपनी दोनों भुजाओंमें भरकर छातीसे चिपका लें ।।
siṁhaskandhā mahābāhavo vṛttapīnāyatoravaḥ | yoddhṛṣv api śreṣṭho bhīmasenas tvāṁ bāhubhyāṁ parigṛhya vakṣasi saṁśliṣyeta || kambugrīvo guḍākeśas tattvāṁ puṣkarekṣaṇaḥ | abhivādayatāṁ pārthaḥ kuntīputro dhanañjayaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana dit : «Même Bhīmasena—aux épaules larges comme un lion, aux bras longs, arrondis et puissants, le meilleur des guerriers—peut te serrer dans ses deux bras et te presser contre sa poitrine. Et Arjuna aussi, fils de Kuntī—Guḍākeśa, vainqueur du sommeil, au cou semblable à une conque et aux yeux pareils au lotus—peut te saluer en joignant les mains et s’incliner devant toi.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds maryādā (proper conduct) among warriors: physical might is paired with humility and reverence. Even the greatest heroes are portrayed as capable of affectionate embrace and respectful salutation, underscoring that strength in dharma includes self-restraint and honoring worthy persons.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war setting, Vaiśaṃpāyana describes how the foremost Pāṇḍava heroes—Bhīma and Arjuna—would relate to the addressed person: Bhīma might embrace tightly, while Arjuna would offer a formal greeting with folded hands, highlighting their stature and their respectful disposition.