Shloka 60
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
हतावशेषा भीमेन सर्वे वासुकिम भ्ययु: । ऊचुश्न सर्पराजानं वासुकिं वासवोपमम्,भीमके हाथों मरनेसे बचे हुए सभी सर्प इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी नागराज वासुकिके समीप गये और इस प्रकार बोले---
hatāvaśeṣā bhīmena sarve vāsukim abhyayuḥ | ūcuś ca sarparājānaṃ vāsukiṃ vāsavopamam ||
भीम के हाथों मारे जाने से जो सर्प बचे थे, वे सब इन्द्र के समान तेजस्वी नागराज वासुकि के पास गए और सर्पराज वासुकि से इस प्रकार बोले।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a time of danger, the vulnerable seek rightful leadership and counsel; the verse highlights the social-ethical expectation that a king (here, the serpent-king Vāsuki) provides guidance and protection when his people are threatened.
After many serpents are killed by Bhīma, the survivors gather and go to their leader Vāsuki, described as Indra-like in brilliance, and begin to speak to him about their predicament.