Shloka 21
बकवधोत्तर-प्रशमनम् | Post-slaying Stabilization after Baka’s Death
सा कामरूपिणी रूपं कृत्वा मानुषमुत्तमम् | उपतस्थे महाबाहुं भीमसेनं शनै: शनै:,हिडिम्बा इच्छानुसार रूप धारण करनेवाली थी। वह मानवजातिकी स्त्रीके समान सुन्दर रूप बनाकर लजीली ललनाकी भाँति धीरे-धीरे महाबाहु भीमसेनके पास गयी। दिव्य आभूषण उसकी शोभा बढ़ा रहे थे। तब उसने मुसकराकर भीमसेनसे इस प्रकार पूछा --'पुरुषरत्न! आप कौन हैं और कहाँसे आये हैं? ये देवताओंके समान सुन्दर रूपवाले पुरुष कौन हैं, जो यहाँ सो रहे हैं?
sā kāmarūpiṇī rūpaṃ kṛtvā mānuṣam uttamam | upatasthe mahābāhuṃ bhīmasenaṃ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Hīḍimbā, who could assume forms at will, fashioned for herself an excellent human appearance. Like a modest young woman, she approached the mighty-armed Bhīmasena slowly and gently.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in a setting charged with danger and desire, self-control and discernment matter: the ability to change outward form does not change the ethical demand to act with restraint, while the strong (Bhīma) are implicitly tasked with vigilance and protection of those who are asleep and defenseless.
Hiḍimbā, a shape-shifting rākṣasī, takes on a beautiful human form and slowly approaches Bhīma. The broader passage continues with her smiling inquiry about who he is and who the godlike men sleeping nearby are, setting up the ensuing confrontation and alliance in the Hiḍimba episode.