Shloka 11
Śalya-parva Adhyāya 34: Balarāma’s Withdrawal, Sarasvatī Pilgrimage Logistics, and Prabhāsa as Soma’s Renewal Tīrtha
अभिवाद्य स्थिता राजन् राहिणेयं महाबलम् । राजन! माद्रीके दोनों शूरवीर पुत्र नकुल-सहदेव और द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र भी रोहिणीनन्दन महाबली बलरामजीको प्रणाम करके उनके पास विनीतभावसे खड़े हो गये ।। भीमसेनो5थ बलवान पुत्रस्तव जनाधिप
abhivādya sthitā rājan rāhiṇeyaṁ mahābalam | rājann mādrīke dvau śūravīra-putrau nakula-sahadevau ca draupadyāḥ pañca putrā api rohiṇī-nandanaṁ mahābalī balarāmaṁ praṇamya tasya samīpe vinīta-bhāvena tasthuḥ || bhīmaseno 'tha balavān putras tava janādhipa
Sañjaya said: O King, having paid their respects, they stood before the mighty son of Rohiṇī. The two heroic sons of Mādrī—Nakula and Sahadeva—and also the five sons of Draupadī bowed to the powerful Balarāma, Rohiṇī’s beloved son, and remained near him with humble, disciplined bearing. Then Bhīmasena too—your strong son, O lord of men—(approached/was present).
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid war, dharma is upheld through proper conduct: honoring revered figures with respectful greeting and humble demeanor. Strength and status do not replace vinaya (discipline and modesty); they are meant to be guided by it.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Nakula and Sahadeva, along with Draupadī’s five sons, approach the mighty Balarāma, salute him, and stand near him respectfully; the verse then begins to mention Bhīma’s presence/approach as the narration continues.