Shloka 23
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
कीचकस्य तु सज्ञातेर्यों हनता मधुसूदन । शूर: क्रोधवशानां च हिडिम्बस्य बकस्य च
vaishampāyana uvāca |
kīcakasya tu saṃjñāter yo hanatā madhusūdana |
śūraḥ krodhavaśānāṃ ca hiḍimbasya bakasya ca ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—হে মধুসূদন! যে বীর, পরিচয় প্রকাশ পেলে কীচককে বধ করেছিল, এবং ক্রোধবশ রাক্ষসদের, হিড়িম্ব ও বককেও সংহার করেছিল—সেই ভীমের সংবাদ বলো। আমার সেই দ্বিতীয় পুত্র এখন কেমন আছে?
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic role of strength: Bhīma’s celebrated might is framed as protective and corrective—used to remove violent oppressors (Kīcaka and rākṣasas). Power gains ethical legitimacy when directed toward safeguarding others and upholding rightful order rather than personal rage.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Bhīma is identified through a catalogue of his famous deeds—killing Kīcaka once his identity was revealed, and earlier slaying the rākṣasas Hiḍimba and Baka. The speaker addresses Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana) and asks for news of Bhīma’s present condition.