Shloka 553
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
रथमारोपयामास विसंज्ञ पांसुगुण्ठितम् इसके बाद भीम राजा सुशर्माका गला पकड़कर ले आये। उस समय वह लाचार होकर उनके वशमें पड़ा था और छूटनेके लिये छटपटा रहा था। दुन्तीपुत्र भीमने सुशर्माको रस्सियोंसे बाँधकर रथपर रख दिया। उसके सारे अंग धूलमें सने थे और चेतना लुप्त-सी हो रही थी
ratham āropayāmāsa visaṁjñaṁ pāṁsuguṇṭhitam
Vaiśampāyana said: Thereafter Bhīma seized Suśarmā by the throat and brought him in. Helpless and overpowered, Suśarmā writhed to break free. Bhīma, Kuntī’s son, bound him with ropes and lifted him onto the chariot; his limbs were caked with dust, and his senses seemed to fade.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The scene highlights a battlefield ethic: a defeated enemy may be subdued and restrained, demonstrating power without necessarily resorting to gratuitous killing. It also underscores the consequences of aggression—pride collapses into helplessness when dharma and strength fail.
Bhīma overpowers Suśarmā, who is rendered nearly unconscious and covered in dust, binds him (as the surrounding narration indicates), and places him on a chariot as a captive.