Shloka 15
Adhyāya 33: Rauhiṇeya (Balarāma) is welcomed and takes his seat to witness the gadā-engagement
वृकोदरं समासाद्य संशयो वै जये हि नः । न्यायतो युध्यमानानां कृती होष महाबल:,'भीमसेनपर युद्धका भार रखा जाय तो भी हमें विजय मिलनेमें संदेह है; क्योंकि न्यायपूर्वक युद्ध करनेवाले योद्धाओंमें महाबली सुयोधनका अभ्यास सबसे अधिक है
Vṛkodaraṃ samāsādya saṃśayo vai jaye hi naḥ | Nyāyato yudhyamānānāṃ kṛtī hoṣa mahābalaḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “If Vṛkodara (Bhīma) is confronted, our victory becomes doubtful indeed. For among warriors who fight according to justice and proper rules, the mighty (Duryodhana) is the most practiced and skilled.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical frame of dharma-yuddha: even in war, fighting ‘nyāyataḥ’ (by just rules) matters, and within that framework disciplined practice and skill can decisively affect outcomes—so victory is not guaranteed merely by strength or cause.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra his assessment of the battle situation: if Bhīma is engaged, the Kauravas’ victory becomes uncertain, because Duryodhana is portrayed as exceptionally trained among those who fight according to proper rules, implying a tense, evenly matched confrontation.