Shloka 39
Post–Baka-vadha Residence and the Introduction of Yājñasenī’s Svayaṃvara (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १५३)
तस्याभिद्रवतस्तूर्ण भीमो भीमपराक्रम: । वेगेन प्रहितं बाहुं निजग्राह हसन्निव,झपटते ही बड़े वेगसे उसने भीमसेनपर हाथ चलाया। तब तो भयंकर पराक्रमी भीमसेनने तुरंत ही उसके हाथको हँसते हुए-से पकड़ लिया
tasyābhidravatas tūrṇaṃ bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ | vegena prahitaṃ bāhuṃ nijagrāha hasann iva ||
As he rushed forward, Bhīma—of dreadful prowess—swiftly seized the arm that had been hurled at him with force, as though laughing. The scene underscores Bhīma’s controlled strength: he meets sudden aggression not with panic, but with confident restraint, turning an attack into a moment of dominance without immediately escalating to lethal retaliation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power is most admirable when governed by composure. Bhīma’s effortless restraint in the face of aggression models controlled strength—meeting violence with mastery rather than uncontrolled rage.
An opponent charges and strikes out with great force. Bhīma immediately catches the attacking arm, doing so with such confidence that it appears he is smiling—signaling superiority and control in the encounter.