Shloka 12
Bhīmasena’s Eastern Digvijaya and the Cedi Reception
Sabhā-parva 26
अहं सखा महेन्द्रस्य शक्रादनवरो रणे । न शक्ष्यामि च ते तात स्थातुं प्रमुखतो युधि,“मैं देवराज इन्द्रका मित्र हूँ और युद्धमें उनसे तनिक भी कम नहीं हूँ, बेटा! तो भी मैं संग्राममें तुम्हारे सामने खड़ा नहीं हो सकूँगा
ahaṃ sakhā mahendrasya śakrād anavaro raṇe | na śakṣyāmi ca te tāta sthātuṃ pramukhato yudhi ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ako’y kaibigan ni Mahendra (Indra), at sa digmaan ay hindi ako nahuhuli kahit kay Śakra. Ngunit, mahal kong anak, hindi ko magagawang tumindig na kaharap ka sa unahan ng labanan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and status—even equality with Indra in battle—do not override moral limits; the verse highlights restraint and the refusal to confront someone directly when ethical or relational considerations forbid it.
In Vaiśaṃpāyana’s narration, a speaker declares his exceptional martial capability and closeness to Indra, but admits he cannot stand face-to-face against the addressed ‘child’ in battle, indicating a decisive reluctance rooted in duty, affection, or propriety.