Shloka 21
भীমेन युधिष्ठिरस्य त्यागवृत्तेः प्रतिषेधः
Bhīma’s Rebuttal of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Inclination
शक््यं तु मौनमास्थाय बिशभ्रता55त्मानमात्मना । धर्मच्छञ्म समास्थाय च्यवितुं न तु जीवितुम्
śakyaṃ tu maunam āsthāya bibhratātmānam ātmanā | dharmacchannaṃ samāsthāya cyavituṃ na tu jīvitum ||
ভীম বললেন—মৌন অবলম্বন করে মানুষ নিজের চেষ্টায় নিজের ভরণপোষণ করতে পারে; কিন্তু ‘ধর্ম’-এর ছদ্ম আশ্রয় নিলে সে কেবল কর্তব্যচ্যুত হয়—তাতে সত্যিকার জীবনযাপনও হয় না, জীবনও সার্থক হয় না।
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhima warns that outward renunciation—such as adopting silence—can become a mask for avoiding one’s rightful responsibilities. When ‘dharma’ is used as a cover for comfort or self-preservation, it leads to deviation from true duty rather than a meaningful life.
In the Shanti Parva’s ethical discussions, Bhima speaks forcefully against escapist asceticism. He argues that merely sustaining oneself while posing as a silent holy man does not fulfill dharma; it risks abandoning one’s obligations under the guise of righteousness.