Shloka 21
Saṃvaraṇa–Tapatī Vivāhaḥ (The Marriage of Saṃvaraṇa and Tapatī) — Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva 163
नाम विश्राव्य तु बकः समभिद्रुत्य पाण्डवम् । भुजाभ्यां परिजग्राह भीमसेनं महाबलम्,तदनन्तर बकासुरने अपना नाम सुनाकर महाबली पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेनकी ओर दौड़कर दोनों बाँहोंसे उन्हें पकड़ लिया
nāma viśrāvya tu bakaḥ samabhidrutya pāṇḍavam | bhujābhyāṃ parijagrāha bhīmasenaṃ mahābalam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Having first made his name known, Baka rushed straight at the Pāṇḍava and, with both arms, seized the mighty Bhīmasena. The episode underscores the contrast between brute, predatory force and the righteous strength that rises to protect the vulnerable.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that mere physical aggression (as shown by the rākṣasa) is ethically inferior to strength aligned with dharma—power that ultimately serves protection and justice rather than predation.
After announcing his identity, Baka charges at Bhīma and grabs him with both arms, initiating the direct physical confrontation that leads into the Bakāsura episode’s struggle.