Shloka 75
भीमस्य जलान्वेषणं तथा वनविश्रान्तिः
Bhīma’s Search for Water and the Forest Halt
क्षात्रेण च बलेनास्य नापश्यत् स पराजयम् | हीनं विदित्वा चात्मानं ब्राह्ेण स बलेन तु
kṣātreṇa ca balenāsya nāpaśyat sa parājayam | hīnaṃ viditvā cātmānaṃ brāhmeṇa sa balena tu |
वैशम्पायन उवाच—स क्षात्रेण बलेन द्रोणस्य पराजयं नापश्यत्। आत्मानं ब्राह्मबलेन हीनं विदित्वा, द्रोणं जेतुं समर्थं पुत्रं प्रार्थयन् पृथिवीं पर्यटत्। अथ द्रोणोऽपि उत्तरपाञ्चालेऽहिच्छत्रं राज्यं स्ववशं निनाय।
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts kṣātra-bala (martial power) with brāhma-bala (spiritual/ascetic potency), implying that victory is not secured by force alone; insight, merit, and higher means (such as tapas and mantra) can decisively shape outcomes and political realities.
Drupada recognizes that he cannot defeat Drona through ordinary military strength and therefore seeks a powerful son as a means to overcome him; at the same time, Drona consolidates power by taking control of Ahicchatra in northern Pañcāla.