Shloka 17
धृतराष्ट्रस्य उपालम्भः तथा पाण्डव-समाश्वासनम् | Dhṛtarāṣṭra Reproved and the Pāṇḍavas Consoled
त॑ गृहीत्वैव पाणिभ्यां भीमसेनमयस्मयम् | बभज्ज बलवान् राजा मन्यमानो वृकोदरम्,बलवान राजा धृतराष्ट्रने उस लोहमय भीमसेन-को ही असली भीम समझा और उसे दोनों बाँहोंसे दबाकर तोड़ डाला
taṁ gṛhītvaiva pāṇibhyāṁ bhīmasenam ayasmayam | babhajja balavān rājā manyamāno vṛkodaram ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Taking hold of the iron-made effigy of Bhīmasena with both hands, the mighty king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, believing it to be Vṛkodara himself, crushed and broke it. The episode underscores how grief and delusion can drive even a powerful elder toward violent intent, while prudence and foresight (in substituting an image) avert immediate harm.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked grief and attachment can cloud judgment and lead to harmful impulses; ethical restraint and wise precaution can prevent violence even when emotions run high.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, mistaking an iron-made effigy for Bhīma, grips it with both hands and crushes it, revealing his pent-up rage—yet the substitution ensures Bhīma is not harmed.