Shloka 186
Śikhaṇḍin’s Transformation, Daśārṇa Verification, and Kubera’s Conditional Curse
Udyoga Parva 193
विराटद्रुपदौ चोभौ भीष्मद्रोणसमौ युधि । 'शिखण्डी, सात्यकि, ट्रुपदकुमार, धृष्टद्युम्न, भीमसेन, दोनों भाई नकुल-सहदेव, युधामन्यु, उत्तमौजा तथा राजा विराट और ट्रुपद भी युद्धमें भीष्म और द्रोणाचार्यकी समानता करनेवाले हैं
virāṭa-drupadau cobhau bhīṣma-droṇa-samau yudhi | śikhaṇḍī sātyakiś caiva drupada-kumāro dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ | bhīmaseno yamanyur uttamaujā nakula-sahadevau ca | tathā rājā virāṭaś ca drupadaś ca yudhi bhīṣma-droṇābhyāṃ samau ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Virāṭa et Drupada, tous deux, sont au combat les égaux de Bhīṣma et de Droṇa. De même Śikhaṇḍin, Sātyaki, le fils de Drupada, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Bhīmasena, les deux frères Nakula et Sahadeva, Yudhāmanyu, Uttamaujā, ainsi que les rois Virāṭa et Drupada : ce sont des guerriers capables de rivaliser avec Bhīṣma et Droṇa sur le champ de bataille.»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when confronted by revered and formidable elders like Bhīṣma and Droṇa, dharmic resolve must be paired with clear-eyed assessment of one’s own support and strength. Yudhiṣṭhira’s words model responsible leadership: acknowledging danger while affirming capable allies, thereby sustaining courage without arrogance.
In the lead-up to the Kurukṣetra war, Yudhiṣṭhira enumerates key Pāṇḍava-aligned warriors and kings, asserting that they can match the Kaurava champions Bhīṣma and Droṇa. The passage functions as a strategic and psychological reassurance within the war preparations.