Shloka 14
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 55 — Sañjaya’s Report on Pāṇḍava Readiness and Arjuna’s Dhvaja
तथा राज्ञो दन्तवर्णा बृहन्तो रथे युक्ता भान्ति ठद्दीर्यतुल्या: । ऋक्षप्रख्या भीमसेनस्य वाहा रथे वायोस्तुल्यवेगा बभूवु:
tathā rājño dantavarṇā bṛhanto rathe yuktā bhānti taddhīryatulyaḥ | ṛkṣaprakhyā bhīmasenasya vāhā rathe vāyostulyavegā babhūvuḥ ||
Sañjaya disse: “Do mesmo modo, os grandes cavalos do rei — brancos como marfim — atrelados ao seu carro, brilham com esplêndida beleza e firmeza sem par. Os corcéis de Bhīmasena são escuros como ursos; uma vez jungidos ao seu carro, avançam com velocidade igual à do vento.”
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined strength: outward signs of power (splendid, swift steeds) are tied to inner steadiness (dhairya). In the Udyoga context, such readiness implies that entering war is not mere aggression but a grave, dharma-laden resolve requiring control, endurance, and responsibility.
Sañjaya is describing the chariots and horses of the Pāṇḍava leaders. He notes Yudhiṣṭhira’s large ivory-white horses shining in harness, and Bhīma’s bear-dark horses that, once yoked, race with wind-like speed—signaling mobilization and imminent confrontation.