Shloka 22
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
यः स नागायुतप्राणो वातरंहा महाबल: । सामर्ष: पाण्डवो नित्यं प्रियो भ्रातु: प्रियंकर:
yaḥ sa nāgāyutaprāṇo vātaraṃhā mahābalaḥ | sāmarṣaḥ pāṇḍavo nityaṃ priyo bhrātuḥ priyaṃkaraḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Aquel Pāṇḍava—Bhīma—cuyo aliento vital se compara al de diez mil elefantes, cuyo ímpetu es como el viento, y que, aunque de natural fiero y pronto a la ira, es siempre querido por su hermano y se afana en hacer lo que le place—dime noticias de él. ¿Cómo está ahora Bhīmasena, mi segundo hijo, el príncipe de Pāṇḍu de brazos firmes como barras de hierro?»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior ideal tempered by ethics: immense power and fierce temperament are praised, yet the highest virtue shown is loyalty and disciplined obedience to an elder brother—strength governed by restraint.
In the Udyoga Parva’s pre-war setting, Bhīma is being described through exalted epithets—elephant-like strength and wind-like speed—while emphasizing that despite his fiery nature he remains devoted to his brother’s wishes; the speaker asks for news of Bhīma’s present condition.