Shloka 23
Post–Baka-vadha Residence and the Introduction of Yājñasenī’s Svayaṃvara (आदि पर्व, अध्याय १५३)
कि ते हिडिम्ब एतैर्वा सुखसुप्तै: प्रबोधितै: । मामासादय दुर्बुद्धे तरसा त्वं नराशन,“हिडिम्ब! सुखपूर्वक सोये हुए मेरे इन भाइयोंको जगानेसे तेरा कया प्रयोजन सिद्ध होगा। खोटी बुद्धिवाले नरभक्षी राक्षस! तू पूरे वेगसे आकर मुझसे भिड़
ki te hiḍimba etair vā sukha-suptaiḥ prabodhitaiḥ | mām āsādaya durbuddhe tarasā tvaṃ narāśana ||
‘Hidimba, what purpose will you gain by waking these my brothers who are sleeping in comfort? You wicked-minded, man-eating rākṣasa—come at me instead, and do so with all your speed!’
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a warrior-ethical stance: do not prey upon the vulnerable (those asleep and unprepared); if conflict is sought, face the capable defender directly. It frames protection of one’s kin and resistance to predatory violence as righteous conduct.
In the Hidimba episode, the man-eating rākṣasa threatens the Pāṇḍavas while they rest. Bhīma confronts him, questioning the point of waking the sleeping brothers and challenging Hidimba to attack him instead, signaling readiness to defend the group.