Shloka 16
बकवधोत्तर-प्रशमनम् | Post-slaying Stabilization after Baka’s Death
जगाम तत्र यत्र सम पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ । ददर्श तत्र सा गत्वा पाण्डवान् पृथया सह | शयानान् भीमसेनं च जाग्रतं त्वपराजितम्,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
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
jagāma tatra yatra sma pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabha |
dadarśa tatra sā gatvā pāṇḍavān pṛthayā saha |
śayānān bhīmasenaṃ ca jāgrataṃ tv aparājitam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: O bull among the Bharatas, she went swiftly to the place where the Pāṇḍavas were. Having reached there, she saw the Pāṇḍavas lying asleep together with Pṛthā (Kuntī), and Bhīmasena—unconquered—awake and keeping watch. The scene underscores vigilant protection of one’s dependents even amid uncertainty and danger.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical duty of vigilance: Bhīma remains awake to protect his sleeping mother and brothers, modeling responsible guardianship and readiness in uncertain surroundings.
Hidimbā goes to the spot where the Pāṇḍavas are staying in the forest and sees them asleep with Kuntī, while Bhīma alone is awake and alert, foreshadowing the impending encounter with the rākṣasa Hidimba.