Shloka 236
Dvaītavana: Brahmaghoṣa, Rṣi-saṅgha, and Baka Dālbhyā’s Upadeśa to Yudhiṣṭhira
त्वप्प्रतिज्ञां प्रतीक्ष॑स्तु सहतेडयं वृकोदर: । ये शक्तिशाली भीमसेन युद्धमें समस्त कौरवोंको नष्ट कर देनेका उत्साह रखते हैं, परंतु आपकी प्रतिज्ञा-पूर्तिकी प्रतीक्षा करमेके कारण अबतक शत्रुओंके अपराधको सहन करते हैं
tvap-pratijñāṁ pratīkṣas tu sahate ’yaṁ vṛkodaraḥ |
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Este Vṛkodara (Bhīma), aunque plenamente capaz, soporta las ofensas del enemigo solo porque aguarda que cumplas tu voto. Arde en él el ímpetu de destruir a todos los Kauravas en la batalla, pero se contiene por respeto a tu palabra empeñada—mostrando que la fuerza debe regirse por el dharma y la fidelidad a las promesas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even overwhelming power should be governed by dharma: Bhīma’s strength is restrained by respect for a pledged vow, showing that fidelity to one’s word and disciplined patience can be ethically superior to immediate retaliation.
Vaiśampāyana describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) as eager and able to annihilate the Kauravas in battle, yet he continues to tolerate their offenses because he is waiting for the fulfillment of ‘your’ vow—implying a strategic and moral restraint tied to another person’s promise.