Shloka 22
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
बबन्ध कक्षां कौन्तेयस्तत: संहर्षयन् जनम् । ततस्तु वृत्रसंकाशं भीमो मल्लं समाह्दयत्
babandha kakṣāṃ kaunteyas tataḥ saṃharṣayan janam | tatastu vṛtrasaṃkāśaṃ bhīmo mallaṃ samāhvayat ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the son of Kuntī tightened his wrestler’s girdle, stirring the crowd to excitement. Thereupon Bhīma challenged a wrestler who looked like Vṛtra—an encounter framed not as mere sport, but as a public test of strength, resolve, and disciplined conduct under the rules of the arena.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength is to be expressed with discipline and propriety: Bhīma prepares formally (tying the girdle) and engages through an open challenge, showing that power gains ethical meaning when exercised within accepted rules and for rightful purpose.
Bhīma, identified as Kaunteya, readies himself for combat in the wrestling arena, excites the spectators, and then challenges a massive wrestler described as resembling Vṛtra, signaling the start of a formidable bout.