Shloka 25
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Reproof and Vow-Logic: On Dice-Deception, Exile Terms, and the Governance of Anger
Adhyāya 35
दिवीव पार्थ सूर्येण न शक््याचरितुं त्वया । पार्थ! आप इस भूमण्डलमें विख्यात हैं, जैसे सूर्य आकाशमें छिपकर नहीं रह सकते, उसी प्रकार आप भी कहीं छिपे रहकर अज्ञातवासका नियम नहीं पूरा कर सकते ।। २४६ || बृहच्छाल इवानूपे शाखापुष्पपलाशवान्
divīva pārtha sūryeṇa na śakyācarituṃ tvayā | pārtha! āpa isa bhūmaṇḍalameṃ vikhyāta haiṃ, jaise sūrya ākāśameṃ chipakara nahīṃ raha sakate, usī prakāra āpa bhī kahīṃ chipē rahakara ajñātavāsakā niyama nahīṃ pūrā kara sakate || bṛhacchāla ivānūpe śākhāpuṣpapalāśavān |
Bhīmasena said: “O Pārtha, it is not possible for you to live in concealment—just as the sun cannot remain hidden in the sky. You are renowned throughout this whole earth; therefore, you cannot fulfill the vow of living incognito by staying hidden somewhere. Like a great śāla tree standing in a marsh, laden with branches, blossoms, and leaves, you would inevitably be noticed.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīma highlights a practical dimension of dharma: a vow is not only an inner intention but must be realistically maintainable. Extraordinary fame makes concealment difficult; therefore one must choose means suited to one’s nature and public visibility to uphold an observance like ajñātavāsa.
During the Vana Parva discussions about the Pāṇḍavas’ exile obligations, Bhīma addresses Arjuna (Pārtha) and argues that Arjuna’s renown is so great that he cannot remain hidden—just as the sun cannot be concealed—so fulfilling an incognito stay would be extremely hard for him.