Shloka 28
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
प्राणवान् विक्रमी चैव शौर्येण महतान्वित: । स्पर्थते चापि सहितानस्मानेको वृकोदर:,“यह बलवान् और पराक्रमी तो है ही, महान् शौर्यसे भी सम्पन्न है। भीमसेन अकेला ही हम सब लोगोंसे होड़ बद लेता है
prāṇavān vikramī caiva śauryeṇa mahatānvitāḥ | spardhate cāpi sahitān asmān eko vṛkodaraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Ele é cheio de vitalidade e verdadeiramente valente, dotado de grande heroísmo. Vṛkodara (Bhīma), sozinho, pode rivalizar com todos nós, mesmo quando estamos unidos.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights exemplary vigor and courage: true prowess is measured not merely by boasting but by the capacity to stand against many with steadfast strength. It also reflects the epic’s admiration for kṣatriya qualities—energy (prāṇa), valor (vikrama), and heroism (śaurya).
Vaiśampāyana describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) as extraordinarily powerful—so formidable that he can compete with or match an entire group even when they are united—thereby emphasizing his dominance among warriors in the surrounding context.