Shloka 28
देवसत्रे मृत्युनिरोधः, पूर्वेन्द्राणां मानुषावतरणम्, द्रौपदी-वरकथनम्
Suspension of Death at the Devasatra; Former Indras’ Human Descent; Draupadī’s Boon Etiology
ततो भीम: समुत्क्षिप्य बाहुभ्यां शल्यमाहवे । अपातयत् कुरुश्रेष्ठो ब्राह्मणा जहसुस्तदा,तदनन्तर कुरुश्रेष्ठ भीमसेनने दोनों हाथोंसे शल्यको ऊपर उठाकर उस युद्धभूमिमें पटक दिया। यह देख ब्राह्मणलोग हँसने लगे
tato bhīmaḥ samutkṣipya bāhubhyāṃ śalyam āhave | apātayat kuruśreṣṭho brāhmaṇā jahasus tadā ||
Then Bhīma, lifting Śalya up with both arms in the midst of the combat, hurled him down upon the battlefield. Seeing this feat of strength, the brāhmaṇas present burst into laughter—an onlooker’s reaction that underscores the sudden reversal of advantage and the almost sportive display of power within a serious contest.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the kṣatriya ideal of decisive strength in battle, while also showing how observers may respond to a dramatic reversal with laughter—reminding readers that public perception can frame even serious conflict as spectacle when power is displayed overwhelmingly.
In the midst of combat, Bhīma seizes Śalya, lifts him with both arms, and throws him down on the battlefield. The brāhmaṇas watching react by laughing at the sudden, forceful takedown.