Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
अद्य त्वां भगिनी पाप॑ कृष्यमाणं मया भुवि | द्रक्ष्यतेडद्रिप्रतिकाशं सिंहेनेव महागजम्
adya tvāṃ bhagini pāpa kṛśyamāṇaṃ mayā bhuvi | drakṣyate ’dripratikāśaṃ siṃheneva mahāgajam ||
«Aujourd’hui, ô misérable pécheur, ta sœur verra comment je te jetterai à terre et te traînerai—fût-ce toi immense comme une montagne—comme un lion traîne un grand éléphant.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical warning that arrogance in physical strength and wrongdoing invite public humiliation and forceful retribution; it frames power as accountable, not merely intimidating.
A speaker threatens an opponent, declaring that despite the opponent’s mountain-like size, he will throw him down and drag him across the ground like a lion dragging a great elephant, and that the opponent’s sister will witness it.