Shloka 26
Saṃvaraṇa–Tapatī Vivāhaḥ (The Marriage of Saṃvaraṇa and Tapatī) — Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva 163
ततो<स्य जानुना पृष्ठठगवपीड्य बलादिव । बाहुना परिजग्राह दक्षिणेन शिरोधराम्,तदनन्तर उन्होंने अपने एक घुटनेसे बल-पूर्वक राक्षसकी पीठ दबाकर दाहिने हाथसे उसकी गर्दन पकड़ ली और बायें हाथसे कमरका लँगोट पकड़कर उस राक्षसको दुहरा मोड़ दिया। उस समय वह बड़ी भयानक आवाज में चीत्कार कर रहा था
tato 'sya jānunā pṛṣṭhaṭhagavāpīḍya balād iva | bāhunā parijagrāha dakṣiṇena śirodharām |
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, pressing down the rākṣasa’s back with his knee as if by sheer force, he seized the creature’s neck with his right arm. The act is narrated as a decisive subduing of violent aggression—strength employed to restrain a threat rather than to indulge cruelty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical use of strength: force is depicted as a means to restrain a dangerous aggressor, aligning power with protection rather than needless harm.
A rākṣasa is physically overpowered—his back is pinned with a knee and his neck is seized with the right arm—showing a close-quarters struggle where the opponent is brought under control.