Shloka 13
दमयन्त्याः व्याकुलता — स्वयंवरसंनिपातः — देवदूतयाचनम्
Damayantī’s Distress, Proclamation of the Svayaṃvara, and the Gods’ Request
तथा गाण्डीवनिर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशने: । गदावेगं च भीमस्य नाल॑ सोढुं नराधिपा:,“उनके बीचमें जब भयानक पराक्रमी महान् धनुर्थर भीमसेन बड़े-बड़े वीरोंका संहार करनेवाली आकाशगमें ऊपर उठी हुई गदा लिये विचरेंगे तब उन भीमकी गदाके वेगको तथा वज्रगर्जके समान गाण्डीव धनुषकी टंकारको भी कोई नरेश नहीं सह सकता
tathā gāṇḍīvanirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ | gadāvegaṃ ca bhīmasya nālaṃ soḍhuṃ narādhipāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Likewise, no king will be able to endure the thunder-like roar of the Gāṇḍīva bow, as if it were the crack of Indra’s lightning, nor the crushing momentum of Bhīma’s mace. When Bhīmasena—terrible in prowess—moves among them with his mace raised high, bringing slaughter upon great warriors, their strength and pride will fail before that irresistible force.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the epic idea that sheer arrogance and royal power collapse before disciplined, righteous martial prowess: when formidable warriors act with decisive force, opponents who rely on status alone cannot withstand either the physical onslaught (Bhīma’s mace) or the psychological shock (the thunder-like Gāṇḍīva’s roar).
Vaiśampāyana describes the battlefield terror inspired by the Pāṇḍavas’ champions: Bhīma roaming with his raised mace, capable of felling great heroes, and the booming twang of Arjuna’s Gāṇḍīva likened to Indra’s thunderbolt—so overwhelming that kings cannot endure it.