Shloka 20

Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage

Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission

Devanagari script

यमाश्रित्य महाबाहुं पाड्चाला: कुरवस्तथा । सुराणामपि मत्तानां पृतनासु न बिभ्यति

Transliteration

yamāśritya mahābāhuṁ pāñcālāḥ kuravas tathā | surāṇām api mattānāṁ pṛtanāsu na bibhyati ||

Translation

அந்த மகாபாகுவைச் சார்ந்ததால், பாஞ்சாலரும் அதுபோல குருவரும் போரணியில் அஞ்சார்—தேவர்களின் பெருமித-வலிமையால் மயங்கிய பகைவரை எதிர்த்தாலும் கூட.

Word by Word

यम्whom

आश्रित्यhaving taken refuge in / relying on

महाबाहुम्the mighty-armed (one)

पाञ्चालाःthe Panchalas

कुरवःthe Kurus

तथाlikewise / also

सुराणाम्of the gods

अपिeven / also

मत्तानाम्of the intoxicated / frenzied

पृतनासुin battles / in armies (i.e., in battle-fields)

नnot

बिभ्यतिthey fear

Speaker

भीम उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhima

Pāñcālas

Kurūs

Suras (gods)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Courage in crisis is strengthened by taking refuge in a truly capable and righteous protector; collective morale in war depends on trust in leadership and support rather than mere numbers.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhima is emphasizing how entire forces—Pāñcālas and Kurus—become fearless in battle when they rely on a mighty-armed champion, suggesting the decisive psychological and strategic role of a central hero.