Shloka 23
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
अपरस्मिन् वनोद्देशे वीरोी शल्यवृकोदरौ
aparasmin vanoddeśe vīrau śalya-vṛkodarau | anyonyaṃ lalakārāte dvau mattāv iva gajarājau yuddham ācaratām | ubhau vidyā-bala-yuddha-kalā-sampannau ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Di satu kawasan hutan yang lain, Śalya dan Vṛkodara (Bhīma)—dua wira yang gagah—menjadikan tempat itu medan tempur mereka. Saling mencabar, mereka bertarung seperti dua gajah raja yang mabuk berahi perang. Masing-masing mahir dalam ilmu persenjataan, kuat tubuhnya, dan arif dalam seni peperangan.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of disciplined prowess: true strength is not mere aggression but trained capability—vidyā (skill), bala (power), and yuddha-kalā (tactical art). Even in fierce rivalry, excellence is measured by mastery and courage rather than cruelty.
Vaiśampāyana describes Śalya and Bhīma (Vṛkodara) fighting in another part of the forest. They challenge each other and battle intensely, compared to two rutting elephant-kings, emphasizing their equal might and refined warcraft.