Shloka 233
रावणेन समप्राणा ब्रह्म॒यज्ञविनाशना: । हिडिम्ब, वक और किर्मीर--ये रावणके समान बलवान् थे और ब्राह्मणों तथा यज्ञोंका विनाश किया करते थे। इन तीनोंको भीमसेनने मार गिराया है
rāvaṇena samaprāṇā brahmayajñavināśanāḥ | hiḍimba-vaka-kirmīra—ete rāvaṇake samāna balavān te ca brāhmaṇānāṃ yajñānāṃ ca vināśaṃ kurvanti sma | etān api trīn bhīmasenena nihataḥ |
Vāyu-deva said: “Endowed with strength equal to Rāvaṇa’s and bent on destroying sacred rites, Hiḍimba, Vaka, and Kirmīra were as mighty as Rāvaṇa and used to bring ruin upon brāhmaṇas and upon yajñas. Yet even these three were struck down by Bhīmasena.” The statement underscores that brute power, when turned against dharma—by attacking priests and sacrificial order—invites rightful resistance and eventual downfall.
श्रीवायुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power divorced from dharma becomes destructive—especially when it targets brāhmaṇas and yajñas, symbols of learning and sacred order. Such adharma invites legitimate opposition, and even formidable strength (likened to Rāvaṇa’s) can be overcome when aligned against righteousness.
Vāyu-deva recalls three rākṣasas—Hiḍimba, Vaka, and Kirmīra—described as Rāvaṇa-like in strength and as habitual destroyers of brāhmaṇas and sacrifices. He emphasizes that Bhīmasena nevertheless slew all three, highlighting Bhīma’s prowess and the defeat of forces hostile to dharma.