Shloka 67
अर्जुनागमनम्
Arjuna’s Arrival and Reunion on the Sacred Mountain
गदायुद्धसमाचारं बुद्धयमान: स वीर्यवान् । व्यंसयामास तं तस्य प्रहारं भीमविक्रम:,भयंकर पराक्रमी महाबली भीमसेन गदायुद्धकी कलको जानते थे। अतः उन्होंने शत्रुके उस प्रहारको व्यर्थ कर दिया
gadāyuddha-samācāraṁ buddhyamānaḥ sa vīryavān | vyaṁsayāmāsa taṁ tasya prahāraṁ bhīma-vikramaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The mighty hero, understanding the tactics and rhythm of mace-fighting, rendered his opponent’s blow ineffective. Thus Bhīma—terrible in prowess and great in strength—met violence with trained discernment, turning aside the strike rather than yielding to it.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in battle is not merely brute force; it is guided by buddhi (discernment). Bhīma’s strength becomes ethically meaningful when governed by skill and awareness, preventing harm through intelligent defense rather than uncontrolled aggression.
During a mace-fight, Bhīma recognizes the opponent’s intended strike and, knowing the methods of gadāyuddha, neutralizes the blow—making the attack ineffective.