Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 34
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
ततो दुर्योधन हत्वा प्रतिपत्स्ये वसुन्धराम् । काम मत्स्यमुपास्तां हि कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिषछ्ठिर:
tato duryodhana hatvā pratipatsye vasundharām | kāma matsyamupāstāṁ hi kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Then, after slaying Duryodhana, I shall take possession of the earth. Let Kuntī’s son Yudhiṣṭhira, if he so wishes, remain here devotedly serving the Matsya king Virāṭa—still, after Duryodhana’s fall, I will claim sovereignty.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights uncompromising resolve against adharma: Bhīma frames rightful sovereignty as something regained through confronting the principal wrongdoer (Duryodhana), not through dependence on temporary refuge or courtly service. It contrasts martial duty and decisive action with passive accommodation.
In the Virāṭa episode context, the Pāṇḍavas are living incognito in Matsya. Bhīma speaks with fierce confidence that, once the time comes, he will kill Duryodhana and then claim dominion—regardless of whether Yudhiṣṭhira continues serving the Matsya king at present.