Shloka 21
Bhīma–Hanūmān Dialogue on Yugas (युगवर्णनम्)
तब महाबली भीमसेनने उनकी इन्द्रधनुषके समान ऊँची पूँछको दोनों हाथोंसे उठानेका पुनः प्रयत्न किया, परंतु दोनों हाथ लगा देनेपर भी वे उसे उठा न सके ।। उत्क्षिप्तभ्रूविवृत्ताक्ष: संहतभ्रुकुटीमुख: । स्विन्नगात्रो5भवद् भीमो न चोद्धर्तु शशाक तम्,फिर तो उनकी भौंहें तन गयीं, आँखें फटी-सी रह गयीं, मुखमण्डलमें भ्रुकुटी स्पष्ट दिखायी देने लगी और उनके सारे अंग पसीनेसे तर हो गये। फिर भी भीमसेन हनुमानजीकी पूँछको किंचित् भी हिला न सके
tataḥ mahābalī bhīmasenena tasya indradhanur-iva uccāṃ pucchaṃ ubhābhyāṃ hastābhyāṃ punar utthāpayituṃ prayatnaḥ kṛtaḥ; kintu ubhau hastau nyasya api sa tāṃ na śaśāka utthāpayitum. utkṣipta-bhrū-vivṛttākṣaḥ saṃhata-bhrukuṭī-mukhaḥ, svinna-gātro 'bhavad bhīmo na ca uddhartum aśakat tam.
Then the mighty Bhīmasena tried once again to lift that tail, arched high like a rainbow, using both hands. Yet even after setting both hands to it, he could not raise it. His brows shot up, his eyes widened, his face tightened into a deep frown, and sweat drenched his limbs; still, Bhīma was unable to lift it at all.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The episode curbs Bhīma’s pride in physical power: even the strongest human effort can be checked by a higher, dharmic force. The ethical lesson is humility—recognizing limits, respecting elders/superiors, and understanding that true greatness includes restraint and reverence, not merely strength.
As Vaiśampāyana narrates, Bhīma again tries to lift Hanumān’s tail (raised like a rainbow). Despite using both hands and straining until his face tightens and sweat pours, he cannot move it at all—showing Hanumān’s superior power and setting up a lesson for Bhīma.