Shloka 21
भীমेन युधिष्ठिरस्य त्यागवृत्तेः प्रतिषेधः
Bhīma’s Rebuttal of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Inclination
शक््यं तु मौनमास्थाय बिशभ्रता55त्मानमात्मना । धर्मच्छञ्म समास्थाय च्यवितुं न तु जीवितुम्
śakyaṃ tu maunam āsthāya bibhratātmānam ātmanā | dharmacchannaṃ samāsthāya cyavituṃ na tu jīvitum ||
भीम बोले—मौन धारण करके मनुष्य अपने ही प्रयत्न से अपना निर्वाह तो कर सकता है; पर ‘धर्म’ का छद्म आश्रय लेकर वह केवल कर्तव्य से च्युत हो सकता है—उससे न तो जीवन का यथार्थ निर्वाह होता है, न जीवन सार्थक बनता है।
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhima warns that outward renunciation—such as adopting silence—can become a mask for avoiding one’s rightful responsibilities. When ‘dharma’ is used as a cover for comfort or self-preservation, it leads to deviation from true duty rather than a meaningful life.
In the Shanti Parva’s ethical discussions, Bhima speaks forcefully against escapist asceticism. He argues that merely sustaining oneself while posing as a silent holy man does not fulfill dharma; it risks abandoning one’s obligations under the guise of righteousness.