Gaṅgā-tīra Udaka-kriyā and Kuntī’s Disclosure of Karṇa’s Maternity
Strī-parva, Adhyāya 27
दुर्योधनबलं सर्व यः प्रकर्षन् व्यरोचत । यस्य नास्ति समो वीर्ये पृथिव्यामपि पार्थिव:
duryodhana-balaṁ sarvaṁ yaḥ prakarṣan vyarocata | yasya nāsti samo vīrye pṛthivyām api pārthivaḥ ||
दुर्योधनबलं सर्वं यः प्रकर्षन् व्यरोचत। यस्य नास्ति समो वीर्ये पृथिव्यामपि पार्थिवः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how martial brilliance and the ability to marshal an army can make a warrior appear unmatched; ethically, it also hints at the Mahābhārata’s recurring tension between outward valor and the deeper question of whether power is aligned with dharma.
Vaiśampāyana describes a warrior who stood out by rallying and drawing forth the full force of Duryodhana’s army, praising him as unequalled in valor among earthly kings.