Shloka 28
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
प्राणवान् विक्रमी चैव शौर्येण महतान्वित: । स्पर्थते चापि सहितानस्मानेको वृकोदर:,“यह बलवान् और पराक्रमी तो है ही, महान् शौर्यसे भी सम्पन्न है। भीमसेन अकेला ही हम सब लोगोंसे होड़ बद लेता है
prāṇavān vikramī caiva śauryeṇa mahatānvitāḥ | spardhate cāpi sahitān asmān eko vṛkodaraḥ ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Ia penuh daya hidup dan benar-benar perkasa, dianugerahi kepahlawanan yang agung. Vṛkodara (Bhīma) seorang diri sanggup menandingi kita semua, sekalipun kita berdiri bersatu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights exemplary vigor and courage: true prowess is measured not merely by boasting but by the capacity to stand against many with steadfast strength. It also reflects the epic’s admiration for kṣatriya qualities—energy (prāṇa), valor (vikrama), and heroism (śaurya).
Vaiśampāyana describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) as extraordinarily powerful—so formidable that he can compete with or match an entire group even when they are united—thereby emphasizing his dominance among warriors in the surrounding context.