Shloka 19
भीमस्य बल्लव-प्रतिज्ञा तथा अर्जुनस्य बृहन्नडा-रूप-निर्णयः
Bhīma’s Ballava Vow and Arjuna’s Decision to Become Bṛhannadā
सो<यमिन्द्रादनवरो वासुदेवान्महाद्युति: । गाण्डीवधन्वा बीभत्सु: श्वेताश्वः कि करिष्यति,यह देवराज इन्द्र और भगवान् श्रीकृष्णसे किसी बातमें कम नहीं है। श्वेत घोड़ोंवाले रथपर चलनेवाला यह महातेजस्वी गाण्डीवधारी बीभत्सु (अर्जुन) वहाँ कौन-सा कार्य करेगा?
so ’yam indrād anavaro vāsudevān mahādyutiḥ | gāṇḍīvadhanvā bībhatsuḥ śvetāśvaḥ kiṁ kariṣyati ||
Yudhiṣṭhira dit : «Celui-ci même—rayonnant et puissant—n’est inférieur ni à Indra, seigneur des dieux, ni à Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa). Portant l’arc Gāṇḍīva, le redoutable Bībhatsu (Arjuna), sur un char attelé de chevaux blancs—quelle tâche n’accomplira-t-il pas là-bas ?»
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores confidence grounded in recognized virtue and capability: a righteous leader reassures others by recalling the proven excellence of a protector (Arjuna), whose power is likened to divine standards (Indra and Kṛṣṇa). Ethically, it affirms steadfastness and courage in upholding dharma when faced with danger.
In the Virāṭa context, Yudhiṣṭhira speaks to emphasize Arjuna’s unmatched prowess and radiance, suggesting that with Arjuna present—armed with the Gāṇḍīva and mounted on his famed white-horsed chariot—any required action in the impending situation can be accomplished.