Shloka 66
Bhīmasena–Hanūmān Saṃvāda: The Tail Test and the Divine Path
दिवंगमं रुरोधाथ मार्ग भीमस्य कारणात् | अनेन हि पथा मा वै गच्छेदिति विचार्य सः,तब उन्होंने भीमसेनके हितके लिये स्वर्गकी ओर जानेवाला मार्ग रोक दिया। हनुमानजीने यह सोचकर कि भीमसेन इसी मार्गसे स्वर्गलोककी ओर न चले जायेँ, एक मनुष्यके आने-जाने योग्य उस संकुचित मार्गपर बैठ गये। वह मार्ग केलेके वृक्षोंसे घिरा होनेके कारण बड़ी शोभा पा रहा था। उन्होंने अपने भाई भीमकी रक्षाके लिये ही यह राह रोकी थी
divaṅgamaṃ rurodhātha mārgaṃ bhīmasya kāraṇāt | anena hi pathā mā vai gacched iti vicārya saḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then, for Bhīma’s sake, he blocked the path that led upward to the heavenly way. Thinking, “Let him not go by this route,” he deliberately obstructed it—acting out of protective concern for Bhīma and to restrain him from a perilous or premature course.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Protective restraint can be a form of dharma: a well-wisher may block an attractive but dangerous course, not out of hostility, but to prevent rash action and to guide one toward a safer, more fitting path.
In the Bhīma–Hanumān episode of the Vana Parva, Hanumān (Bhīma’s elder brother) deliberately obstructs a heavenward route so that Bhīma does not proceed that way; it sets up a controlled encounter meant to check Bhīma’s force and pride and to protect him.