Shloka 4
Hiḍimbā’s Account and the Bhīma–Hiḍimba Engagement (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १४२)
पाण्डवेभ्यो भयं न स्यात् तान् विवासयतां भवान् | निपुणेनाभ्युपायेन नगरं वारणावतम्,“पिताजी! हमें पाण्डवोंसे भय न हो, इसलिये आप किसी उत्तम उपायसे उन्हें यहाँसे हटाकर वारणावत नगरमें भेज दीजिये”
pāṇḍavebhyo bhayaṃ na syāt tān vivāsayatāṃ bhavān | nipuṇenābhyupāyena nagaraṃ vāraṇāvatam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “So that we may have no fear from the Pāṇḍavas, let you, sir, cause them to be sent away—by a clever and well-devised stratagem—to the city of Vāraṇāvata.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear of rivals can lead rulers and counselors toward manipulative, ethically compromised policies—using ‘clever means’ to remove opponents instead of practicing dharmic protection and fair governance.
A proposal is being voiced to have the Pāṇḍavas sent away to Vāraṇāvata through a skillful stratagem, framing their removal as a prudent measure so that the speaker’s side will no longer feel threatened by them.