Mahabharata 4.13.23 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 23

Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal

Devanagari script

तावुभौ सुमहोत्साहावुभौ भीमपराक्रमौ

Transliteration

tāv ubhau sumahotsāhāv ubhau bhīmaparākramau

Translation

അവർ ഇരുവരും അത്യന്തം മഹോത്സാഹമുള്ളവർ; ഇരുവരും ഭീമസമാന പരാക്രമശാലികൾ.

Word by Word

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• सुमहोत्साहौ: of very great zeal/energy
• सुमहोत्साहौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुमहोत्साह
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• उभौ: both
• उभौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: उभ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

• भीमपराक्रमौ: of terrible/awesome prowess
• भीमपराक्रमौ: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भीमपराक्रम
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Dual

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bhīma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the classical epic ideal that inner resolve (utsāha) and steadfast courage (parākrama) are essential virtues for those who must act decisively in difficult circumstances; strength is presented as meaningful when joined to purposeful effort.

What is happening in the narrative?

The narrator Vaiśampāyana characterizes two individuals as exceptionally energetic and formidable, using Bhīma as the benchmark for terrifying prowess, thereby preparing the listener for their impactful role in the episode.