Shloka 26
भगिनी तव दुर्वत्त रक्षसां वै यशोहर । त्वन्नियोगेन चैवेयं रूपं मम समीक्ष्य च,'राक्षसोंकी कीर्तिको नष्ट करनेवाले दुराचारी हिडिम्ब! तेरी यह बहिन तेरी आज्ञासे ही यहाँ आयी है; परंतु मेरा रूप देखकर यह बेचारी अब मुझे चाहने लगी है, अतः तेरा कोई अपराध नहीं कर रही है। कामदेवके द्वारा किये हुए अपराधके कारण तुझे इसकी निन्दा नहीं करनी चाहिये
bhagini tava durvṛtta rakṣasāṃ vai yaśohara | tvanniyogena caiveyaṃ rūpaṃ mama samīkṣya ca |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O wicked one, destroyer of the Rakṣasas’ renown! This sister of yours came here only at your command; but after seeing my form, the poor woman has now become drawn to me. Therefore she is not committing any offense against you. You should not censure her for a fault brought about by Kāma (desire).”
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames desire as a powerful force that can redirect intention, and it cautions against unjust blame: one should not condemn someone for an attraction arising from Kāma, especially when their initial action was done under another’s command.
In the Hiḍimba episode, Hiḍimbā has come on her brother Hiḍimba’s orders, but after seeing Bhīma she becomes attracted to him. The speaker rebukes Hiḍimba and argues that Hiḍimbā is not betraying him; her change of heart is driven by desire, so she should not be vilified.