Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 19
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
शूरस्तथाप्रतिबलो गौरस्ताल इवोन्नतः । प्रमाणतो भीमसेन: प्रादेशेनाधिको<र्जुनात्
śūras tathāpratibalo gauraḥ tāla ivonnataḥ | pramāṇato bhīmasenaḥ prādeśenādhiko 'rjunāt ||
धृतराष्ट्र बोले—भीमसेन शूरवीर है और उसकी शक्ति का प्रतिद्वन्द्वी नहीं; गौरवर्ण वह ताड़ के वृक्ष-सा ऊँचा है। कद में वह अर्जुन से एक प्रादेश (बित्ता) अधिक है।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler must realistically recognize the strengths of all parties; ignoring such truths and refusing dharma-based restraint makes conflict more destructive. The verse underscores sober discernment (knowing who is truly formidable) as a prerequisite for ethical decision-making in crisis.
In Udyoga Parva, as preparations and negotiations around the impending war unfold, Dhṛtarāṣṭra describes Bhīma’s exceptional might and imposing stature, noting he is tall like a palmyra and slightly taller than Arjuna.