Shloka 28
तस्मिन्नेव वनोद्देशे स्थापित: कुरुनन्दन: । ते चान्तर्दधिरे नागा: पाण्डवस्यैव पश्यत:,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
tasminneva vanoddeśe sthāpitaḥ kurunandanaḥ | te cāntardadhire nāgāḥ pāṇḍavasyāiva paśyataḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: In that very tract of forest, the delight of the Kurus (Bhīma) was set down. And as the Pāṇḍava watched, the Nāgas vanished from sight. The episode underscores a moral rhythm often seen in the epic: when strength is tempered by humility and one accepts rightful aid with gratitude, beneficent powers protect without demanding possession—then withdraw, leaving the hero restored to his own path and responsibility.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Aid received through rightful conduct should be met with gratitude and restraint; beneficent powers may assist and then withdraw, reminding the hero to continue his duty independently rather than cling to extraordinary support.
Bhīma is brought back and set down in the same forest region; immediately afterward, the Nāgas who had hosted and honored him vanish from sight as he watches.