Mahabharata 4.22.66 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 22, Shloka 66
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
पातितो भुवि भीमस्तु कीचकेन बलीयसा । उत्पपाताथ वेगेन दण्डपाणिरिवान्तक:,अत्यन्त बलशाली कीचकद्दारा इस प्रकार भूमिपर गिराये हुए भीमसेन हाथमें दण्ड धारण करनेवाले यमराजकी भाँति बड़े वेगसे उछलकर खड़े हो गये
pātito bhuvi bhīmas tu kīcakena balīyasā | utpapātātha vegena daṇḍapāṇir ivāntakaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Obwohl der stärkere Kīcaka Bhīma zu Boden geworfen hatte, sprang Bhīma sogleich mit gewaltiger Schnelligkeit auf — wie der Tod selbst, den Stab in der Hand.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power is not the same as righteousness: Bhīma’s immense strength is portrayed vividly, yet the ethical tension lies in using force at the right time and for the right end—protecting dharma and the oppressed while honoring the larger obligation of secrecy during exile.
Kīcaka, emboldened by his authority and strength, knocks Bhīma down; Bhīma immediately springs up with terrifying energy, compared to Death holding a staff—foreshadowing Kīcaka’s impending doom while highlighting Bhīma’s controlled readiness.
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