Shloka 41
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
मृगमांसं न खादेयं गरमेतन्न रोचते । मूषिकं भक्षयिष्यामि तद् भवाननुमन्यताम्,वह कह रहा था कि “बाघके काटनेसे इस हरिणका मांस जहरीला हो गया है, मैं तो इसे खाऊँगा नहीं; क्योंकि यह मुझे पसंद नहीं है। यदि तुम्हारी अनुमति हो तो मैं चूहेको ही खा लूँ”
mṛgamāṁsaṁ na khādeyaṁ garam etan na rocate | mūṣikaṁ bhakṣayiṣyāmi tad bhavān anumanyatām ||
Jambuka said: “I should not eat this deer’s flesh; it is poisoned and does not appeal to me. With your consent, I will eat the mouse instead.”
जम्बुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical speech and choice under the guise of propriety: Jambuka frames his preference as concern about poisoned meat and seeks formal consent, illustrating how polite, dharma-sounding language can mask self-serving intent.
Jambuka refuses the deer’s flesh, claiming it is poisoned and unpalatable, and asks permission to eat a mouse instead—presenting his decision as reasonable and sanctioned rather than merely driven by appetite or convenience.