Shloka 65
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
ईषदाकलितं चापि क्रोधाद् द्रुतपदं स्थितम् । कीचको बलवान भीम॑ जानुभ्यामाक्षिपद् भुवि
īṣad ākalitaṃ cāpi krodhād drutapadaṃ sthitam | kīcako balavān bhīmaṃ jānubhyām ākṣipad bhuvi ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When Bhīma stood there with his footing slightly unsteady—his movement checked and his steps hurried by anger—the powerful Kīcaka, in a surge of wrath, struck him with both knees and hurled him down to the ground.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of krodha (anger): when rage governs action, physical power becomes cruelty. It also frames Bhīma’s trial of restraint—enduring provocation without immediately abandoning the larger dharmic purpose of concealment during exile.
In the Matsya court episode, Kīcaka, enraged, physically assaults Bhīma. Seeing Bhīma standing with slightly unsteady footing, Kīcaka strikes him with both knees and throws him to the ground, escalating the conflict that will soon lead to Kīcaka’s downfall.