Shloka 37
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
किं वा कृताघेष्वघमत्यमर्षी भीमोऽहिवद्दीर्घतमं व्यमुञ्चत् । यस्याङ्घ्रि पातं रणभूर्न सेहे मार्गं गदायाश्चरतो विचित्रम् ॥ ३७ ॥
kiṁ vā kṛtāgheṣv agham atyamarṣī bhīmo ’hivad dīrghatamaṁ vyamuñcat yasyāṅghri-pātaṁ raṇa-bhūr na sehe mārgaṁ gadāyāś carato vicitram
Please tell me: has unconquerable Bhīma—like a cobra—poured out his long-stored wrath upon the sinful? The battlefield itself could not endure the thunder of his steps, nor the wondrous play of his club as he strode his path.
Vidura knew the strength of Bhīma. Whenever Bhīma was on the battlefield, his steps on the path and the wonderful playing of his club were unbearable for the enemy. Powerful Bhīma did not take steps against the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra for a long time. Vidura’s inquiry was whether he had yet released his anger, which was like that of a suffering cobra. When a cobra releases its venom after long-cherished anger, its victim cannot survive.
FAQs
This verse depicts Bhīma as so powerful that the battlefield could not bear the pounding of his feet, and his mace’s movements traced a wondrous course—highlighting his fearsome might in the dharma-yuddha.
The comparison emphasizes his fierce, intolerant nature toward wrongdoing—like a serpent releasing a long hiss—showing his intense anger against the sinful adversaries in battle.
It teaches steadiness in opposing injustice and wrongdoing while remembering that true strength is meant to protect dharma, not to serve ego or cruelty.