Shloka 35
उद्योगपर्व — अध्याय ५४: दुर्योधनस्य धृतराष्ट्रं प्रति बलप्रशंसन-युक्तः आश्वासनवादः
Duryodhana’s Reassurance and Force-Praise to Dhritarashtra
युद्धे संकर्षणसमो बलेनाभ्यधिको भुवि । गदाप्रहारं भीमो मे न जातु विषहेद् युधि,मैं युद्धमें बलरामजीके समान हूँ और बलमें इस भूतलपर सबसे बढ़कर हूँ। युद्धमें भीमसेन मेरी गदाका प्रहार कभी नहीं सह सकते
yuddhe saṅkarṣaṇasamo balenābhyadhiko bhuvi | gadāprahāraṃ bhīmo me na jātu viṣahed yudhi ||
Trong chiến trận, ta ngang hàng Saṅkarṣaṇa (Balarāma), và về sức mạnh thì ta vượt mọi kẻ trên cõi đất này. Trong giao chiến, Bhīmasena tuyệt chẳng thể chịu nổi một đòn chùy của ta.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride and self-exaltation can distort judgment: Duryodhana measures himself against a revered warrior (Balarāma) and dismisses Bhīma’s capacity, revealing the ethical danger of hubris that fuels conflict rather than restraint.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war negotiations and preparations, Duryodhana asserts his martial superiority, claiming parity with Balarāma and insisting that Bhīma cannot withstand his mace-blow—an expression of confidence that hardens his stance toward war.