Shloka 44
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
अगदस्याप्यधनुषो विरथस्य विवर्मण: । बाहुभ्यां युद्धयमानस्य कस्तिष्ठेदग्रत: पुमान्,यदि वह गदा, धनुष, रथ और कवचको छोड़कर केवल दोनों भुजाओंसे युद्ध करे तो भी उसके सामने कौन पुरुष ठहर सकता है?
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca |
agadasyāpyadhanuṣo virathasya vivarmaṇaḥ |
bāhubhyāṃ yuddhayamānasya kastīṣṭhedagrataḥ pumān, yadi ||
Même sans massue, sans arc, sans char et sans armure—ne combattant qu’avec ses deux bras—quel homme pourrait tenir devant lui ?
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sheer personal strength can appear irresistible even without weapons or protection, prompting reflection on the need for dharma (restraint, right intention, and just conduct) to govern power in war.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra voices apprehensive awe about a formidable warrior’s capability—suggesting that even stripped of standard martial equipment, the fighter’s bodily prowess alone would make him nearly unopposable.