Shloka 43
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
भवन्तीति नृलोके5स्मिन् विदितं मम सर्वश: । के यूयं पुष्पवन्तश्न भुजैज्याकृतलक्षणै:,कुरुनन्दन! उस समय सत्यप्रतिज्ञ राजा जरासंधने वेषग्रहणके विपरीत आचरणवाले उन तीनोंकी निन््दा करते हुए कहा--“ब्राह्मणो! इस मानव-जगतमें सर्वत्र प्रसिद्ध है कि स्नातक-व्रतका पालन करनेवाले ब्राह्मण समावर्तन आदि विशेष निमित्तके बिना माला और चन्दन नहीं धारण करते। मुझे भी यह अच्छी तरह मालूम है। आपलोग कौन हैं? आपके गलेमें फ़ूलोंकी माला है और भुजाओंमें धनुषकी प्रत्यंचाकी रगड़का चिह्न स्पष्ट दिखायी देता है
bhavantīti nṛloke ’smin viditaṃ mama sarvaśaḥ | ke yūyaṃ puṣpavantaś ca bhujair jyākṛta-lakṣaṇaiḥ, kurunandana |
Vaiśampāyana said: “It is well known to me, and indeed widely known in this human world, how such people conduct themselves. Who are you, O delight of the Kurus? You wear garlands of flowers, and on your arms the marks made by the bowstring’s rubbing are clearly visible.” (Thus Jarāsandha, true to his vow, censures the three for behavior contrary to the guise they have assumed, implying that their outward appearance and bodily signs betray a warrior’s life rather than a brahmin’s discipline.)
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Outer roles and inner realities must align: social and ethical disciplines (ācāra) leave recognizable signs, and deception is exposed when conduct and bodily marks contradict an assumed identity. The verse also highlights a king’s duty to discern truth and uphold propriety.
Jarāsandha, noticing flower garlands and the telltale abrasions of a bowstring on the visitors’ arms, challenges them about who they really are. Though they appear in a different guise, their warrior marks betray them, prompting his suspicion and rebuke.