Shloka 58
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
तावन्योन्यं समा श्लिष्य प्रकर्षन्तौ परस्परम् | उभावपि प्रकाशेते प्रवृद्धो वृषभाविव,फिर दोनों आपसमें गुँथ गये और एक-दूसरेको खींचने लगे। उस समय वे दो हृष्ट-पुष्ट साँड़ोंकी भाँति सुशोभित होते थे
tāv anyonyaṁ samāśliṣya prakarṣantau parasparam | ubhāv api prakāśete pravṛddhau vṛṣabhāv iva ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Dann gingen sie aufeinander zu, schlossen sich in eine feste Umklammerung und zerrten einander hin und her. Auf dem freien Platz traten beide hervor—wie zwei ausgewachsene Stiere in der Blüte ihrer Kraft—und zeigten Stärke und Entschlossenheit, während der Kampf sich zuspitzte.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣātra (warrior) ideal of steadfastness and visible courage under pressure: when rivals meet in direct contest, excellence is shown through controlled strength, endurance, and mutual recognition of the opponent’s power rather than through deceit.
Two combatants have come to close quarters, gripping each other and pulling back and forth in a forceful grapple. The narrator compares their appearance to two mature bulls, emphasizing their vigor and the intensity of the struggle.