Shloka 57
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
प्रोवाच पुरुषव्याप्रो भीममाहवशोभिनम्,भीम युद्धमें अत्यन्त सुशोभित होते थे। पुरुष-श्रेष्ठ राजा युधिष्ठिर सुशर्माको उस दशामें देखकर हँसे और भीमसेनसे बोले--“इस नराधमको छोड़ दो।” उनके ऐसा कहनेपर भीम महाबली सुशर्मासे बोले
vaiśampāyana uvāca | provāca puruṣavyāghro bhīmam āhavśobhinam | bhīma yuddhe atyantaṃ suśobhita āsīt | puruṣaśreṣṭho rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ suśarmāṇaṃ tāṃ daśāṃ dṛṣṭvā jahāsa ca bhīmasenam uvāca—“imaṃ narādhamam utsṛja” iti | tasyaivam uktvāpi bhīmo mahābaliḥ suśarmāṇam uvāca |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Yudhiṣṭhira, harimau di antara manusia, berbicara kepada Bhīma yang bersinar di medan laga. Melihat Suśarmā dalam keadaan demikian, sang raja yang menjunjung dharma tertawa dan berkata, “Lepaskan si hina ini.” Meski demikian diperintahkan, Bhīma yang berlengan perkasa tetap berkata kepada Suśarmā.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid battle, restraint and proportionate response are part of dharma. Yudhiṣṭhira’s instruction to release the fallen enemy highlights a preference for self-control and ethical conduct over uncontrolled vengeance, reminding warriors that victory should not become cruelty.
In the Virāṭa Parva battle episode, Bhīma is excelling in combat. Suśarmā is seen in a weakened or humiliating condition, and Yudhiṣṭhira laughs and tells Bhīma to let him go. Despite this, Bhīma—still forceful and dominant—addresses Suśarmā, continuing the confrontation verbally.