Shloka 10
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
प्रातिष्ठत स दुष्टात्मा त्रीन् गृहीत्वा च पाण्डवान् | सहदेवस्तु यत्नेन ततो5पक्रम्य पाण्डव:,शत्रुसूदन! हिंसक पशुओंको मारनेके लिये भीमसेनके आश्रमसे बाहर चले जानेपर उस राक्षसने देखा कि घटोत्कच अपने सेवकोंसहित किसी अज्ञात दिशाको चला गया, लोमश आदि महर्षि ध्यान लगाये बैठे हैं तथा दूसरे तपोधन स्नान करने और फूल लानेके लिये कुटियासे बाहर निकल गये हैं, तब उस दुष्टात्माने विशाल, विकराल एवं भयंकर दूसरा रूप धारण करके पाण्डवोंके सम्पूर्ण अस्त्र-शस्त्र, द्रौपदी तथा तीनों पाण्डवोंको भी लेकर वहाँसे प्रस्थान कर दिया। उस समय पाण्डु-कुमार सहदेव प्रयत्न करके उस राक्षसकी पकड़से छूट गये और पराक्रम करके म्यानसे निकली हुई अपनी तलवारको भी उससे छुड़ा लिया। फिर वे महाबली भीमसेन जिस मार्गसे गये थे, उधर ही जाकर उन्हें जोर-जोरसे पुकारने लगे
vaiśampāyana uvāca | prātiṣṭhata sa duṣṭātmā trīn gṛhītvā ca pāṇḍavān | sahadevas tu yatnena tato 'pakramya pāṇḍavaḥ śatrusūdana |
Vaiśampāyana said: Having seized three of the Pāṇḍavas, that wicked-souled rākṣasa set out. But Sahadeva, exerting himself with care, slipped free from the demon’s grasp and, by his own valor, recovered his sword that had been drawn from its scabbard. Then he hurried along the very path by which the mighty Bhīmasena had gone and began calling out to him loudly. Ethically, the passage highlights vigilance in adversity and the duty to protect one’s companions: even when overpowered, presence of mind and steadfast effort become the means of rescue and righteous response.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in sudden calamity, dharmic action begins with alertness and self-control: Sahadeva does not collapse into fear but uses effort and presence of mind to free himself, recover his weapon, and immediately seek aid to protect his companions.
A rākṣasa has seized three Pāṇḍavas and departs. Sahadeva manages to escape the grip, retrieves his drawn sword, and runs along Bhīma’s route, calling out loudly for Bhīma to return and respond to the danger.