Shloka 8
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 21 — Kīcaka’s clandestine approach and Bhīma’s covert intervention (नर्तनागारे कीचकवध-प्रसङ्गः)
इमं तु समुपालम्भं त्वत्तो राजा युधिष्ठिर: । शृणुयाद् वापि कल्याणि कृत्स्नं जह्मात् स जीवितम्,कल्याणी! यदि राजा युधिष्ठिर तुम्हारे मुखसे यह सारा उपालम्भ सुन लेंगे तो प्राण त्याग देंगे
imaṃ tu samupālambhaṃ tvatto rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | śṛṇuyād vāpi kalyāṇi kṛtsnaṃ jahyāt sa jīvitam ||
Bhīmasena said: “O noble lady, if King Yudhiṣṭhira were to hear from your own mouth this entire reproach and taunt, he would abandon his very life.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of speech: harsh reproach can wound a dharma-minded person more deeply than physical harm. It implies restraint and compassion in criticism, especially toward those who are sensitive to honor and duty.
Bhīma addresses a noble lady and warns that if Yudhiṣṭhira hears her full reproach, he may be so crushed by shame and sorrow that he would give up his life. Bhīma is trying to prevent words that could destabilize Yudhiṣṭhira’s resolve and well-being.