Shloka 22
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
बबन्ध कक्षां कौन्तेयस्तत: संहर्षयन् जनम् । ततस्तु वृत्रसंकाशं भीमो मल्लं समाह्दयत्
babandha kakṣāṃ kaunteyas tataḥ saṃharṣayan janam | tatastu vṛtrasaṃkāśaṃ bhīmo mallaṃ samāhvayat ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces el hijo de Kuntī se ciñó con fuerza el cinto de luchador, encendiendo el entusiasmo de la multitud. Acto seguido, Bhīma desafió a un luchador que parecía Vṛtra: un encuentro planteado no como simple deporte, sino como una prueba pública de fuerza, determinación y disciplina bajo las reglas de la arena.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Strength is to be expressed with discipline and propriety: Bhīma prepares formally (tying the girdle) and engages through an open challenge, showing that power gains ethical meaning when exercised within accepted rules and for rightful purpose.
Bhīma, identified as Kaunteya, readies himself for combat in the wrestling arena, excites the spectators, and then challenges a massive wrestler described as resembling Vṛtra, signaling the start of a formidable bout.