द्रोणपर्व (अध्याय ११२) — कर्णभीमयोर्युद्धम्, दुर्योधनस्य रक्षणादेशः
Droṇa-parva 112: Karṇa–Bhīma Engagement and Duryodhana’s Protective Order
वीरतायां नरव्यात्र धनंजयसमो हासि । नरव्याप्र! तुम अस्त्रविद्याके ज्ञानमें भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके समान, बलमें बलरामजीके तुल्य और वीरतामें धनंजयके समान हो
Vīratāyāṃ naravyāghra dhanañjayasamo hāsi | Naravyāghra! tvam astravidyā-jñāne bhagavān Śrīkṛṣṇasamo, bale Balārāma-tulyaḥ, vīratāyāṃ Dhanañjaya-samaḥ asi |
युधिष्ठिर उवाच— वीरतायां धनञ्जयसमोऽसि नरव्याघ्र। नरश्रेष्ठ! अस्त्रविद्याज्ञाने भगवता श्रीकृष्णेन समः; बले बलरामतुल्यः; शौर्ये च धनञ्जयसमः॥
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
The verse underscores the kṣatriya ideal: true worth in war is measured not only by strength and bravery but also by disciplined knowledge (astravidyā) and rightful recognition by a dharmic leader. Praise here functions ethically—to affirm capability and encourage responsible use of power.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a foremost warrior (called ‘naravyāghra’) and extols him by comparing his weapon-knowledge to Kṛṣṇa, his strength to Balārāma, and his heroism to Arjuna. The speech situates the warrior’s excellence within the ongoing conflict of Droṇa Parva.