Shloka 41
Udyoga-parva Adhyāya 50 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Appraisal of Bhīmasena (भीमसेनभयवर्णनम्)
दीर्घकालसमासक्तं विषमाशीविषो यथा । स मोक्ष्यति रणे तेज: पुत्रेषु मम संजय
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | dīrghakālasamāsaktaṃ viṣam āśīviṣo yathā | sa mokṣyati raṇe tejaḥ putreṣu mama saṃjaya ||
Dhṛtarāṣṭra berkata: “Sañjaya, sebagaimana ular berbisa memuntahkan racun yang lama disimpannya, demikian pula Bhīmasena akan melepaskan di medan perang daya yang telah lama ia pendam—menimpakannya kepada putra-putraku.”
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how long-harbored hostility and injury accumulate like stored venom; when conditions ripen—especially in war—they are released with destructive force. Ethically, it warns that nurturing adharma and enmity invites inevitable backlash.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, speaking to Sañjaya, expresses dread that Bhīmasena will unleash in battle the power and anger he has long contained, directing it against the Kauravas—Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s sons.