Shloka 24
Adhyāya 129 — Public Acclaim of the Pāṇḍavas and Duryodhana’s Appeal to Dhṛtarāṣṭra
ततः स्नातो महाबाहु: शुचि: शुक्लाम्बरस्रज: | ततो नागस्य भवने कृतकौतुकमड़्ल:,तब महाबाहु भीमसेन स्नान करके शुद्ध हो गये। उन्होंने श्वेत वस्त्र और श्वेत पुष्पोंकी माला धारण की। तत्पश्चात् नागराजके भवनमें उनके लिये कौतुक एवं मंगलाचार सम्पन्न किये गये। फिर उन महाबली भीमने विष-नाशक सुगन्धित ओषधियोंके साथ नागोंकी दी हुई खीर खायी
tataḥ snāto mahābāhuḥ śuciḥ śuklāmbara-srajaḥ | tato nāgasya bhavane kṛta-kautuka-maṅgalaḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then the mighty-armed Bhīmasena bathed and became purified. He put on white garments and a garland of white flowers. After that, in the dwelling of the Nāga-king, auspicious rites and protective ceremonies were performed for him; and the powerful Bhīma partook of the milk-rice offered by the Nāgas, mixed with fragrant, antidotal herbs—signifying both hospitality and the safeguarding of life through proper ritual and medicine.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Purification, auspicious observance, and prudent protection go together: ritual cleanliness and blessings are complemented by practical safeguards (antidotal herbs), showing dharma as both sacred order and responsible care for life.
Bhīma bathes, dresses in white with a white garland, and is formally welcomed in the Nāga-king’s dwelling with protective and auspicious rites; he then eats the Nāgas’ offered milk-rice prepared with fragrant antidotal herbs.