Shloka 48
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
अभिद्रुत्य सुशर्माणं केशपक्षे परामृशत् | समुद्यम्य तु रोषात् तं निष्पिपेष महीतले,सुशमके पास पहुँचकर भीमने उसके केश पकड़ लिये और क्रोधपूर्वक उसे उठाकर पृथ्वीपर दे मारा। तत्पश्चात् उसे वहीं रगड़ने लगे
abhidrutya suśarmāṇaṁ keśapakṣe parāmṛśat | samudyamya tu roṣāt taṁ niṣpipeṣa mahītale ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Bhīma se lanzó derecho sobre Suśarmā y lo asió por los cabellos. Luego, en un arrebato de ira, lo alzó y lo estrelló contra la tierra, aplastándolo allí—para quebrar el orgullo del enemigo y poner fin a su resistencia en la batalla.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fierce, punitive side of kṣatriya warfare: when a hostile aggressor persists, decisive force may be used to neutralize him and shatter his arrogance. Ethically, it reflects battlefield pragmatism and the warrior’s duty to protect one’s side, while also warning how anger can intensify violence.
Bhīma charges Suśarmā, grabs him by the hair, lifts him in anger, and slams him onto the ground, crushing and grinding him there—depicting Bhīma’s overwhelming strength and dominance in close combat.