Shloka 23
Saṃvaraṇa–Tapatī Vivāhaḥ (The Marriage of Saṃvaraṇa and Tapatī) — Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva 163
स कृष्यमाणो भीमेन कर्षमाणश्न पाण्डवम् | समयुज्यत तीव्रेण क्लमेन पुरुषादक:,भीमसेन उस राक्षसको खींचते थे तथा राक्षस भीमसेनको खींच रहा था। इस खींचा- खींचीमें वह नरभक्षी राक्षस बहुत थक गया
sa kṛṣyamāṇo bhīmena karṣamāṇaś ca pāṇḍavam | samayujyata tīvreṇa klamena puruṣādakaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: As Bhīma dragged him and the man-eating rākṣasa in turn dragged the Pāṇḍava, they grappled in a fierce tugging struggle. In that intense contest, the cannibal rākṣasa became greatly exhausted—showing how brute violence and predation falter before steadfast strength used in protection.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Predatory power (the man-eating rākṣasa) is not sustainable; when confronted by righteous, protective strength (Bhīma acting as a Pāṇḍava guardian), it collapses into exhaustion. The verse underscores endurance and resolve in defending dharma.
Bhīma and a man-eating rākṣasa pull each other in a forceful struggle—each trying to drag the other. The rākṣasa, strained by the contest, becomes severely fatigued.