Shloka 12
Bhīmasena’s Eastern Digvijaya and the Cedi Reception
Sabhā-parva 26
अहं सखा महेन्द्रस्य शक्रादनवरो रणे । न शक्ष्यामि च ते तात स्थातुं प्रमुखतो युधि
ahaṃ sakhā mahendrasya śakrād anavaro raṇe | na śakṣyāmi ca te tāta sthātuṃ pramukhato yudhi ||
वैशम्पायन बोले— “मैं देवराज महेन्द्र (इन्द्र) का मित्र हूँ और रण में शक्र से भी तनिक कम नहीं; तथापि, वत्स, मैं युद्ध के अग्रभाग में तुम्हारे सामने खड़ा नहीं हो सकूँगा।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and status—even equality with Indra in battle—do not override moral limits; the verse highlights restraint and the refusal to confront someone directly when ethical or relational considerations forbid it.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a speaker declares his exceptional martial capability and closeness to Indra, but admits he cannot stand face-to-face against the addressed ‘child’ in battle, indicating a decisive reluctance rooted in duty, affection, or propriety.