Shloka 31
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
विगाहा रथमार्गेषु वरानुद्दिश्य निघ्नतः । अग्ने: प्रज्वलितस्येव अपि मुच्येत मे प्रजा
vigāhā rathamārgeṣu varān uddiśya nighnataḥ | agneḥ prajvalitasyeva api mucyeta me prajā ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra disse: “Quando Bhīma, ardendo como o fogo, se lançar pelos corredores entre os carros de guerra e, escolhendo os mais eminentes guerreiros, os abater, como poderiam meus filhos—meu povo—escapar de sua mão?”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and political consequence of choosing war despite knowing its catastrophic cost: a ruler’s attachment and partiality (Dhṛtarāṣṭra toward his sons) turns into fear for those he ought to protect, underscoring responsibility and the inevitability of results once violence is unleashed.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra imagines Bhīma entering the chariot formations in battle, targeting and killing the best warriors. He expresses dread that, with Bhīma ‘blazing like fire,’ his own side—especially his sons—will not be able to survive.