Shloka 17
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्युक्त्वा स महाबाहुर्विजजृम्भे जिघांसया । ततः स व्यायतं कृत्वा वेषं विपरिवर्त्य च
vaiśampāyana uvāca: ity uktvā sa mahābāhur vijajṛmbhe jighāṃsayā | tataḥ sa vyāyataṃ kṛtvā veṣaṃ viparivartya ca |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having spoken thus, the mighty-armed Bhīmasena, intent on slaying Upakīcaka, stretched himself in a fierce yawn and expanded his frame. Then, after bracing himself and changing his disguise, he set out—ready to carry out a righteous punishment for an outrage committed under the cover of power and lust.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When power is used to violate and intimidate, dharma may require decisive action to protect the wronged; strength is to be employed as disciplined punishment, not as predatory violence.
After resolving to kill the offender, Bhīma physically steels himself, changes his disguise, and prepares to move into action as part of the plan to punish the aggressor in the Virāṭa court episode.