Mahabharata 7.141.98 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 141, Shloka 98
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
क्व युद्ध॑ क्व मुनित्वं च वनं गच्छ वृकोदर । न त्वं युद्धोचितस्तात वनवासरतिर्भवान्
kva yuddhaṁ kva munitvaṁ ca vanaṁ gaccha vṛkodara | na tvaṁ yuddhocitas tāta vanavāsaratir bhavān ||
قال سانجيا: «ما شأنُ الحربِ بك، وما شأنُ سيرةِ المُنِيّ بك؟ اذهب—اذهب إلى الغابة، يا فِرْكودَرا. يا بُنَيّ، لستَ أهلًا للقتال؛ إنما قلبُك مولعٌ بسكنى المنفى في الأحراج.»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension often exploited in epic rhetoric: a kṣatriya is expected to meet crisis with courage and duty in battle, while retreat into forest-life symbolizes withdrawal. The taunt weaponizes this contrast to question Bhīma’s warrior-identity and provoke him toward action.
In the heated context of the Kurukṣetra war, a speaker (reported by Sañjaya) mocks Vṛkodara (Bhīma), telling him that war does not suit him and that he should go back to the forest, implying he prefers exile over combat. It functions as verbal provocation and morale warfare.
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