Shloka 11
Saṃvaraṇa–Tapatī Vivāhaḥ (The Marriage of Saṃvaraṇa and Tapatī) — Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva 163
भीमसेनस्तत: श्रुत्वा प्रहसन्निव भारत । राक्षसं तमनादृत्य भुड्क्त एव पराड्मुख:,भारत! उसकी बात सुनकर भीमसेन मानो जोर-जोरसे हँसने लगे और उस राक्षसकी अवहेलना करते हुए मुँह फेरकर खाते ही रह गये
bhīmasenas tataḥ śrutvā prahasann iva bhārata | rākṣasaṃ tam anādṛtya bhuṅkta eva parāṅmukhaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing those words, Bhīmasena seemed to burst into laughter. Disregarding the rākṣasa, he turned his face away and continued eating—an unflinching display of contempt meant to deny the aggressor both fear and moral authority.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Fearlessness and moral steadiness: Bhīma refuses to grant a violent aggressor psychological power. His deliberate disregard signals inner composure and readiness to protect without being provoked into panic or submission.
After hearing the rākṣasa’s words, Bhīma reacts with scornful laughter, turns away, and keeps eating. The gesture is intentional—he dismisses the threat and asserts dominance before any physical confrontation.