Shloka 12
द्रौपद्याः शोकवचनम्
Draupadī’s Lament and Indictment of Misfortune
सा लतेव महाशालं फुल्लं गोमतितीरजम् । परिष्वजत पाज्चाली मध्यमं पाण्डुनन्दनम्
sā lateva mahāśālaṁ phullaṁ gomati-tīrajam | pariṣvajata pāñcālī madhyamaṁ pāṇḍu-nandanam ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Seperti sulur yang melilit pohon śāla yang tinggi dan sedang mekar di tepi Sungai Gomati, demikianlah Pāñcālī yang suci memeluk Bhīmasena, putra tengah Pāṇḍu.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a nature-metaphor to highlight dharmic steadfastness and mutual support: Draupadī’s embrace signifies loyal companionship and the protective strength of the Pāṇḍavas during adversity, reminding that righteous bonds are sustained through solidarity, not merely through circumstance.
In the Virāṭa Parva context of concealment and hardship, Draupadī (Pāñcālī) meets and embraces Bhīma. The poet compares her to a vine clinging to a tall blossoming śāla tree by the Gomati, emphasizing intimacy, reliance, and Bhīma’s strength as a support.