Shloka 9
Rājarṣi-samāgamaḥ — Yudhiṣṭhirasya Dharma-parīkṣā ca
Meeting the Royal Sage and a Dharmic Audit
अपश्यमानो भीम॑ तु धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिर: । ततः कृष्णां यमौ चापि समीपस्थावरिंदम:,जब भीम नहीं दिखायी दिये, तब शत्रुदमन धर्मनन्दन युधिष्ठिरने द्रौपदी तथा पास ही बैठे हुए नकुल-सहदेवसे अपने भाई भीमके सम्बन्धमें, जो रणभूमिमें भयानक कर्म करनेवाले थे, पूछा--'पांचाल-राजकुमारी! भीमसेन कहाँ है? क्या वे कोई काम करना चाहते हैं?
apaśyamāno bhīmaṃ tu dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | tataḥ kṛṣṇāṃ yamau cāpi samīpasthāv ariṃdamaḥ ||
Not seeing Bhīma, Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira—subduer of foes—then addressed Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) and the twin brothers who were seated nearby, inquiring about Bhīma’s whereabouts and intent. The moment underscores Yudhiṣṭhira’s vigilant responsibility for his brothers and the ethical weight of action in a perilous situation.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights responsible leadership grounded in dharma: Yudhiṣṭhira remains attentive to the safety and intentions of his brother, showing that ethical governance includes vigilance, care for dependents, and timely inquiry before action escalates.
Yudhiṣṭhira notices Bhīma is not present. He turns to Draupadī and the twin brothers nearby and asks about Bhīma—where he has gone and what he intends—signaling concern amid a tense and potentially dangerous context.