Shloka 14
धृतराष्ट्रस्य बलाबलचिन्ता
Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Strength and Preference for Śama
महामेघनिभश्नापि निर्घोष: श्रूयते जनै: । महाशनिसम: शब्द: शात्रवाणां भयंकर:
mahāmeghanibhaś cāpi nirghoṣaḥ śrūyate janaiḥ | mahāśanisamaḥ śabdaḥ śātravāṇāṃ bhayaṅkaraḥ ||
वैशम्पायन बोले—लोगों को उसका घर्घर-नाद महान् मेघों की गर्जना-सा सुनाई देता है; उसका शब्द महावज्र की गड़गड़ाहट के समान शत्रु-सेना के लिए अत्यन्त भयावह है।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how righteous martial power is not only physical but also psychological: the very sound of a great warrior’s approach can break enemy morale, suggesting that fear and confidence are decisive forces in dharmic conflict.
Vaiśaṃpāyana describes the terrifying roar—likened to storm-cloud thunder and a thunderbolt—that is heard by all and strikes fear into the enemy ranks, as part of a larger portrayal of the Pandava side’s formidable war-readiness (especially Arjuna’s might in the surrounding passage).