Mahabharata 7.141.89 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 141, Shloka 89
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
भीमो5पि मुष्टिमुद्यम्य वज्गर्भा सुदारुणाम् । हन्तुमैच्छत् सूतपुत्रं संस्मरन्नर्जुनं क्षणात्
bhīmo 'pi muṣṭim udyamya vajragarbhāṁ sudāruṇām | hantum aicchat sūtaputraṁ saṁsmarann arjunaṁ kṣaṇāt ||
Sañjaya dijo: Bhīma también, alzando el puño—duro como un vajra y terriblemente temible—deseó abatir a Karṇa, el hijo del auriga. Pero en ese mismo instante recordó a Arjuna; y así, aunque capaz y poderoso, Bhīma no mató entonces a Karṇa, preservando el voto pronunciado antes por Savyasācin (Arjuna) y el orden ético del combate empeñado.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the heat of battle, strength must be governed by dharma: Bhima restrains himself to uphold Arjuna’s pledged right and the moral discipline of keeping vows, showing that ethical commitment can override immediate advantage.
Bhima raises a devastating fist to kill Karna, but instantly recalls Arjuna and refrains, so that Arjuna’s earlier vow/claim regarding Karna’s slaying is not violated.
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