Shloka 2
भीमसेनस्य आत्मबलप्रशंसा — Bhīmasena’s Assertion of Strength
Udyoga Parva, Adhyāya 74
गिरेरिव लघुत्वं तच्छीतत्वमिव पावके । मत्वा रामानुज: शौरि: शार्ज्र्धन्वा वृकोदरम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--भीमसेनके मुखसे यह अभूतपूर्व मृदुतापूर्ण वचन सुनकर महाबाहु भगवान् श्रीकृष्ण हँसने-से लगे। जैसे पर्वतमें लघुता आ जाय और अम्निमें शीतलता प्रकट हो जाय, उसी प्रकार उनमें यह नम्रताका प्रादुर्भाव हुआ था। यह सोचकर शार्ड्धनुष धारण करनेवाले रामानुज श्रीकृष्ण अपने पास बैठे हुए वृकोदर भीमसेनको, जो उस समय दयासे द्रवित हो रहे थे, अपने वचनोंद्वारा उसी प्रकार उत्तेजित करते हुए बोले, मानो वायु अग्निको उद्दीप्त कर रही हो
girer iva laghutvaṁ tacchītatvam iva pāvake | matvā rāmānujaḥ śauriḥ śārṅgadhanvā vṛkodaram |
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing from Bhīmasena’s mouth those unprecedented words, gentle and softened with compassion, the mighty-armed Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa began to smile. It was as though a mountain had become light, or fire had turned cool—such was the surprising rise of humility in Bhīma. Understanding this, Śauri, the younger brother of Rāma (Balarāma), the wielder of the Śārṅga bow, addressed Vṛkodara (Bhīma), who sat near him and was melting with pity, and with his words roused him again—like wind kindling a flame.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even noble compassion must be balanced with steadfastness in dharma: Kṛṣṇa recognizes Bhīma’s softened heart as extraordinary, yet he prepares to reawaken Bhīma’s warrior resolve so that duty is not abandoned out of misplaced pity.
After Bhīma speaks unusually gentle, pity-filled words, Kṛṣṇa smiles at this unexpected humility (likened to a mountain becoming light or fire becoming cool). Understanding the moment, Kṛṣṇa then speaks to Bhīma to stir him back toward determined action, as wind intensifies a flame.