Śalya–Bhīma Gadā-saṃnipāta and Śalya’s Bāṇa-jāla against Yudhiṣṭhira
Book 9, Chapter 11
निवार्यमाणो बहुभिद्रौपद्या: प्रियमास्थित: । तथा जिसके द्वारा क्रोधमें भरे हुए महाबलवान् कुन्तीकुमार भीमने बहुतोंके मना करनेपर भी द्रौपदीका प्रिय करनेके लिये उद्यत हो गर्जना करते हुए कुबेरभवनमें रहनेवाले बहुत-से मायामय अभिमानी गुह्य॒कोंका वध किया था
nivāryamāṇo bahubhir draupadyāḥ priyam āsthitaḥ | tathā yasya krodhena bhare mahābalavān kuntīkumāro bhīmas tu bahūnāṃ nivāraṇe 'pi draupadīpriyakaraṇāya udyataḥ san garjan kuberabhavane nivāsinaḥ bahūn māyāmayān abhimāninaḥ guhyakān avadhīt |
Sañjaya said: Though restrained by many, he remained intent on doing what was dear to Draupadī. Thus Bhīma, Kuntī’s mighty son, filled with wrath and resolved—despite repeated attempts to dissuade him—to please Draupadī, roared aloud and slew many proud, illusion-wielding Guhyakas who dwelt in Kubera’s abode.
संजय उवाच
The passage highlights the ethical tension between devotion to a loved one and self-control: even a righteous motive (pleasing/protecting Draupadī) can become morally hazardous when driven by uncontrolled anger, leading to disproportionate violence.
Sañjaya recalls an earlier feat of Bhīma: despite many trying to restrain him, Bhīma—enraged and intent on doing what pleased Draupadī—roared and slew many proud, illusion-using Guhyakas who lived in Kubera’s abode.