Shloka 85
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
एवमुक््त्वा महाराज भीमो भीमपराक्रम: । पादेन पीडयामास तस्य कायं दुरात्मन:,महाराज! भयंकर पराक्रमी भीमने ऐसा कहकर उस दुरात्माकी लाशको पैरसे दबाया
evaṃ uktvā mahārāja bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ | pādena pīḍayāmāsa tasya kāyaṃ durātmanaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Nachdem er so gesprochen hatte, o großer König, drückte Bhīma von furchterregender Kraft den Leib jenes Bösewichts mit dem Fuß nieder.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a stern aspect of dharma in a violent milieu: when confronting grave wrongdoing, a protector may act with uncompromising force to neutralize the threat and affirm moral order. It also cautions that ethical judgment in epic warfare often operates under harsh necessities rather than gentle ideals.
After speaking, Bhīma—renowned for fearsome strength—steps on and presses down the body of a wicked opponent, emphasizing the finality of the defeat and Bhīma’s relentless, punitive resolve.