Shloka 98
Kirmīra-rākṣasa-saṃgamaḥ (Encounter and Slaying of Kirmīra) | किर्मीरेण सह भीमसेनसमागमः
एवमुक्ता तु भीमेन राक्षसी कामरूपिणी । भीमसेनं महात्मानमाह चैवमनिन्दिता,इस प्रकार पूछनेपर इच्छानुसार रूप धारण करनेवाली उस अनिन्द्य सुन्दरी राक्षसकन्याने महात्मा भीमसे कहा--
evamuktā tu bhīmena rākṣasī kāmarūpiṇī | bhīmasenaṃ mahātmānam āha caivam aninditā ||
Thus addressed by Bhīma, the rākṣasī maiden—able to assume forms at will—then spoke to the great-souled Bhīmasena. Blameless in her bearing, she replied in this manner, as the narrative turns from questioning to her forthcoming disclosure and intent.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as narrative framing, but it subtly models ethical characterization: even a being from a feared class (rākṣasī) can be described as aninditā (irreproachable), reminding readers that moral appraisal in the epic often depends on conduct rather than mere birth or species.
After Bhīma addresses her, the shape-shifting rākṣasī maiden turns to respond. The verse signals a shift from Bhīma’s inquiry to her forthcoming speech, setting up the next development in the encounter.