Shloka 46
दुर्योधन–द्रोणसंवादः
Arjuna-vīrya-prasaṃśā and renewed battle formation
पाणए्डुपुत्र युधिष्ठिरके ये तथा और भी बहुत-से गुण हैं। भीमसेन और अर्जुन यदि चाहें तो अपने अस्त्रबलसे देवता, असुर, मनुष्य, यक्ष, राक्षस, भूत, नाग और हाथियोंसहित इस सम्पूर्ण जगत्का सर्वथा विनाश कर सकते हैं ।। युधिष्ठिरश्न पृथिवीं निर्दहेद् घोरचक्षुषा । अप्रमेयबल: शौरियेंषामर्थे च दंशित:
kṛpa uvāca | pāṇḍuputra yudhiṣṭhirake ye tathā anye'pi bahavo guṇāḥ santi | bhīmasenaḥ arjunaś ca yadi icchataḥ tarhi svāstrabalena devān asurān manuṣyān yakṣān rākṣasān bhūtān nāgān hastibhiḥ saha ca idaṃ sarvaṃ jagat sarvathā vināśayituṃ śaknutaḥ || yudhiṣṭhiraḥ pṛthivīṃ nirdahyet ghoracakṣuṣā | aprameyabalaḥ śauryeṣām arthe ca daṃśitaḥ ||
Kripa said: “In the son of Pandu, Yudhiṣṭhira, there are these and many other virtues. And if Bhīmasena and Arjuna so desired, then by the sheer force of their weapons they could utterly destroy this entire world—gods, demons, humans, yakṣas, rākṣasas, spirits, nāgas, even elephants included. Yudhiṣṭhira himself could burn the earth with a dreadful gaze; his strength is immeasurable, and he is resolute in valor and in purpose.”
कृप उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the terrifying magnitude of martial power and implies an ethical ideal: true greatness lies not merely in the capacity to destroy, but in restraint and right purpose (dharma) guiding that power.
Kṛpa is describing and praising the extraordinary capabilities of the Pāṇḍavas—especially Bhīma and Arjuna’s weapon-power and Yudhiṣṭhira’s formidable presence—framing them as forces capable of cosmic-level destruction if they chose.