Shloka 23
Bhīṣma’s Fall, the Arrow-bed (śara-talpa), and the Establishment of Guard
अजेय: समरे चापि देवैरपि सवासवै: । बलवान बुद्धिमांश्वैव जितक्लेशो युधां वर:,“इन्द्रसहित सम्पूर्ण देवता भी उन्हें युद्धमें पराजित नहीं कर सकते। वे बलवान, बुद्धिमान, क्लेशोंपर विजय पानेवाले और योद्धाओंमें श्रेष्ठ हैं
ajeyaḥ samare cāpi devair api savāsavaiḥ | balavān buddhimāṁś caiva jitakleśo yudhāṁ varaḥ ||
ఇంద్రునితో కూడిన దేవతలందరూ కూడా యుద్ధంలో అతనిని జయించలేరు. అతడు బలవంతుడు, బుద్ధిమంతుడు, కష్టాలను జయించినవాడు, యోధులలో శ్రేష్ఠుడు.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises an ideal of warrior-excellence: true superiority is not only physical might (balavān) but also discernment (buddhimān) and proven resilience (jitakleśaḥ). In the ethical atmosphere of the Mahābhārata, such qualities signal a formidable agent of destiny in war, whose endurance under suffering is as decisive as strength.
Sañjaya is describing a particular warrior to Dhṛtarāṣṭra in exalted terms, declaring him unconquerable in battle—even by the gods with Indra. The statement heightens tension by emphasizing the warrior’s unmatched prowess and steadiness as the conflict unfolds.