Shloka 15
बकवधोत्तर-प्रशमनम् | Post-slaying Stabilization after Baka’s Death
एवमुक्ता हिडिम्बा तु हिडिम्बेन तदा वने । भ्रातुर्वचनमाज्ञाय त्वरमाणेव राक्षसी,भरतश्रेष्ठ उस समय वनमें हिडिम्बके यों कहनेपर हिडिम्बा अपने भाईकी बात मानकर मानो बड़ी उतावलीके साथ उस स्थानपर गयी, जहाँ पाण्डव थे। वहाँ जाकर उसने कुन्तीके साथ पाण्डवोंको सोते और किसीसे परास्त न होनेवाले भीमसेनको जागते देखा
evam uktā hiḍimbā tu hiḍimbenā tadā vane | bhrātur vacanam ājñāya tvaramāṇeva rākṣasī ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed by Hiḍimba in the forest, the rākṣasī Hiḍimbā, accepting her brother’s command, hurried at once to the place where the Pāṇḍavas were. Reaching there, she saw Kuntī and the Pāṇḍavas asleep, while Bhīmasena—unconquerable by any—kept watch, awake.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights two contrasting ethical impulses: Hiḍimbā’s compliance with familial command (bhrātuḥ vacanam) and Bhīma’s vigilant guardianship. It foregrounds the dharmic value of protecting the vulnerable—here, the sleeping family—through alertness and readiness.
After Hiḍimba speaks to her, Hiḍimbā rushes to where the Pāṇḍavas are staying in the forest. She finds Kuntī and the Pāṇḍavas asleep, while Bhīmasena remains awake on watch, emphasizing his role as protector just before the ensuing encounter.