Shloka 17
Bhīma–Hanūmān Dialogue on Yugas (युगवर्णनम्)
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्ते हनुमता हीनवीर्यपराक्रमम् | मनसाचिन्तयद् भीम: स्वबाहुबलदर्पित:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! हनुमानजीके ऐसा कहनेपर अपने बाहुबलका घमंड रखनेवाले भीमने मन-ही-मन उन्हें बल और पराक्रमसे हीन समझा
vaiśampāyana uvāca evam ukte hanumatā hīna-vīrya-parākramam | manasā cintayad bhīmaḥ sva-bāhu-bala-darpitaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Hanumān had spoken thus, Bhīma—proud of the strength of his own arms—reflected inwardly and judged him to be lacking in power and prowess.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Pride in one’s own power can distort judgment; true discernment requires humility and respect for those whose greatness may not be outwardly displayed.
After Hanumān speaks, Bhīma—confident in his physical might—privately concludes that Hanumān is weak, setting up a corrective lesson about real strength and proper estimation of others.