Shloka 52
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
ततो जग्राह केशेषु माल्यवत्सु महाबल: । स केशेषु परामृष्टो बलेन बलिनां वर:
tato jagrāha keśeṣu mālyavatsu mahābalaḥ | sa keśeṣu parāmṛṣṭo balena balināṃ varaḥ ||
Then the mighty one seized him by the hair, which was adorned with garlands. Thus, the foremost among the strong was forcibly grabbed by the hair.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how physical domination—especially acts meant to shame, such as seizing someone by the hair—marks a moral and social escalation in conflict. It implicitly contrasts strength used for righteous restraint with strength used for humiliation and coercion.
A powerful figure grabs another person by the hair, described as garlanded, and forcibly handles him. The language emphasizes raw strength and the degrading nature of the act, indicating a turning point toward harsher confrontation.