Shloka 69
Bhīmasena–Hanūmān Saṃvāda: The Tail Test and the Divine Path
प्राजूम्भत महाकायो हनूमान् नाम वानर: । कदलीषण्डमध्यस्थो निद्रावशगतस्तदा,कदलीवनमें आय हुए पाण्डुनन्दन भीमसेनको इस मार्गपर आनेके कारण किसीसे शाप या तिरस्कार न प्राप्त हो जाय, यह विचारकर ही कपिप्रवर हनुमानजी उस वनके भीतर स्वर्गका रास्ता रोककर सो गये। उस समय उन्होंने अपने शरीरको बड़ा कर लिया था। निद्राके वशीभूत होकर जब वे जँभाई लेते और इन्द्रकी ध्वजाके समान ऊँचे तथा विशाल लंगूरको फटकारते, उस समय वज्रकी गड़गड़ाहटके समान आवाज होती थी
prājūmbhata mahākāyo hanūmān nāma vānaraḥ | kadalīṣaṇḍa-madhyastho nidrā-vaśa-gatas tadā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: At that time Hanūmān, the mighty-bodied monkey, lay within a grove of banana trees, overcome by sleep. Having enlarged his form, he blocked the way through the forest—so that Bhīmasena, the son of Pāṇḍu who was approaching along that path, might not incur any curse or insult from anyone. And when, under the sway of sleep, he yawned and shook his towering, banner-like body, a sound like the rumbling of a thunderbolt arose.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Great power should be guided by restraint and concern for dharma: Hanūmān uses his strength not to dominate, but to prevent Bhīma from falling into fault—such as provoking a curse or disrespect—thereby protecting him from ethical and spiritual harm.
Hanūmān, enlarged in body and lying asleep in a banana grove, deliberately blocks the forest route as Bhīma approaches. His thunder-like yawns and massive form set the stage for Bhīma’s encounter with him and the ensuing lesson in humility and right conduct.