Shloka 48
Hiḍimba’s Approach and Hiḍimbā’s Warning to Bhīmasena (हिडिम्बागमनम् / हिडिम्बा-भयवचनम्)
निर्जिता यत् त्वया वीरास्तस्माद् वीरतरो भवान् | न त्वयाप्युत्सहे योद्धुमित्युक्त्वा सो5प्युपागमत्,नेवलेने कहा--जब बाघ, भेड़िया और बुद्धिमान् चूहा--ये सभी वीर तुमसे परास्त हो गये, तब तो तुम वीरशिरोमणि हो। मैं भी तुम्हारे साथ युद्ध नहीं कर सकता। यों कहकर नेवला भी चला गया
nirjitā yat tvayā vīrās tasmād vīrataro bhavān | na tvayāpy utsahe yoddhum ity uktvā so 'py upāgamat ||
Nakula said: “Since those heroes have been defeated by you, you are therefore the greater hero. Even I do not have the courage to fight with you.” Having spoken thus, he too departed. The passage underscores how mere victory can breed exaggerated praise and fear, prompting even capable persons to withdraw rather than test the truth through righteous contest.
नकुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how victory and reputation can intimidate others into withdrawal; ethical discernment requires not being swept away by exaggerated praise or fear, but weighing one’s duty and the truth of a situation.
Nakula addresses an opponent whose prior victories have made him seem exceptionally formidable; Nakula declares he will not fight and then leaves, continuing the pattern of others departing after acknowledging the opponent’s perceived superiority.