Shloka 64
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
पश्यति सम महाबाहुं भीम॑ भीमपराक्रमम् । आर्यकेण च दृष्ट: स पृथाया आर्यकेण च
paśyati sa mahābāhuṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramam | āryakeṇa ca dṛṣṭaḥ sa pṛthāyā āryakeṇa ca ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Lalu ia melihat Bhīma—berlengan perkasa dan dahsyat dalam keberanian. Pada saat itu juga ia terlihat oleh Āryaka, tetua Nāga yang terkait dengan garis keturunan Pṛthā. Mengenali keturunannya, Āryaka memeluknya erat ke dada. Raja Nāga Vāsuki yang termasyhur pun sangat berkenan kepada Bhīmasena dan berkata: “Pelayanan apa yang paling berkenan baginya? Haruskah kita menganugerahkan harta—emas dan timbunan permata?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the dharmic ethic of honoring kinship and offering protection and gifts to a worthy guest or relative. Recognition of lineage becomes a basis for care, support, and benevolent action rather than fear or hostility.
Bhīma is seen by the Nāga elder Āryaka and by the Nāga-king Vāsuki. Āryaka, recognizing Bhīma as a descendant connected to Pṛthā’s line, embraces him affectionately. Vāsuki, pleased, asks what favor or gift—wealth, gold, or jewels—should be offered to Bhīma.