Shloka 27
Adhyāya 129 — Public Acclaim of the Pāṇḍavas and Duryodhana’s Appeal to Dhṛtarāṣṭra
उदतिष्ठत् प्रह्षश्ठात्मा नागलोकादरिंदम: । उत्क्षिप्त: स तु नागेन जलाज्जलरुहेक्षण:,इसके बाद नागोंने वीर भीमसेनका आदर-सत्कार करके उन्हें शुभाशीर्वादोंसे प्रसन्न किया। दिव्य आभूषणोंसे विभूषित शत्रुदमन भीमसेन नागोंकी आज्ञा ले प्रसन्नचित्त हो नागलोकसे जानेको उद्यत हुए। तब किसी नागने कमलनयन कुरुनन्दन भीमको जलसे ऊपर उठाकर उसी वनमें (गंगातटवर्ती प्रमाणकोटिमें) रख दिया। फिर वे नाग पाण्दुपुत्र भीमके देखते-देखते अन्तर्धान हो गये
udatiṣṭhat prahṛṣṭātmā nāgalokād ariṃdamaḥ | utkṣiptaḥ sa tu nāgena jalāj jalaruhākṣaṇaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Bhīma, the subduer of foes, rose up from the realm of the Nāgas with a heart filled with joy. Lifted up by a Nāga from the waters, that lotus-eyed hero emerged—honoured and blessed by the serpent-folk—ready to depart, having received their goodwill and auspicious benedictions. The episode underscores that strength is to be guided by humility and gratitude: even a mighty warrior advances rightly when he accepts honour without arrogance and leaves with due respect to those who aided him.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even great power should move with humility and gratitude: Bhīma accepts honour and blessings from the Nāgas and departs respectfully, showing that right conduct includes acknowledging help and leaving without pride.
Bhīma, having been honoured in Nāgaloka, prepares to leave; a Nāga lifts him up from the water and brings him back to the surface/forest region, after which the Nāgas disappear from his sight.