Shloka 1
गन्धमादन-हिमवत्प्रयाणे युधिष्ठिर-भीमसंवादः
Yudhiṣṭhira–Bhīma Dialogue on the Gandhamādana–Himavat Ascent
हि >> आय न हुक है चत्वारिशर्दाधिकशततमोब ध्याय: भीमसेनका उत्साह तथा पाण्डवोंका कुलिन्दराज सुबाहुके राज्यमें होते हुए गन्धमादन और हिमालय पर्वतको प्रस्थान युधिछिर उवाच अन्तर्हितानि भूतानि बलवन्ति महान्ति च । अग्निना तपसा चैव शकक््यं गन्तुं वकोदर,युधिष्ठिर बोले--भीमसेन! यहाँ बहुत-से बलवान् और विशालकाय राक्षस छिपे रहते हैं; अतः अग्निहोत्र एवं तपस्याके प्रभावसे ही हमलोग यहाँसे आगे बढ़ सकते हैं
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: antarhitāni bhūtāni balavanti mahānti ca | agninā tapasā caiva śakyaṃ gantuṃ Vṛkodara ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “O Vṛkodara (Bhīma), many beings—powerful and of great size—remain hidden here. Therefore, it is only through the protective power of sacred fire and disciplined austerity that we can safely proceed from this place.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
Yudhiṣṭhira emphasizes that brute strength alone is not sufficient in perilous, unseen dangers; ritual purity (agni) and disciplined self-control (tapas) provide moral and spiritual protection, enabling right action and safe progress.
As the Pāṇḍavas prepare to move onward through a dangerous region, Yudhiṣṭhira warns Bhīma that powerful hidden beings lurk there, and advises proceeding under the safeguarding influence of sacred fire rites and austerity.