Shloka 38
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
क्षितिस्थं सहदेवं च क्षिपन्तं राक्षसं तदा । मार्गाच्च राक्षसं मूढं कालोपहतचेतसम्,उस समय सहदेव धरतीपर खड़े होकर राक्षसपर आक्षेप कर रहे थे और वह मूढ़ राक्षस मार्गसे भ्रष्ट होकर वहीं चक्कर काट रहा था। कालसे उसकी बुद्धि मारी गयी थी। दैवने ही उसे वहाँ रोक रखा था। भाइयों और द्रौपदीका अपहरण होता देख महाबली भीमसेन कुपित हो उठे और जटासुरसे बोले--“ओ पापी! पहले जब तू शस्त्रोंकी परीक्षा कर रहा था, तभी मैंने तुझे पहचान लिया था
kṣitisthaṃ sahadevaṃ ca kṣipantaṃ rākṣasaṃ tadā | mārgāc ca rākṣasaṃ mūḍhaṃ kālopahatacetasaṃ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: At that time Sahadeva stood firm upon the ground and assailed the rākṣasa with sharp reproaches. The deluded rākṣasa, his mind struck down by Time, had strayed from the path and wandered about in confusion. It was as though fate itself held him there. Seeing his brothers and Draupadī being carried off, the mighty Bhīmasena blazed with anger and addressed Jaṭāsura: “O sinner! Even earlier, when you were testing our weapons, I recognized you.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights vigilance and righteous protection: when adharma manifests as abduction and deceit, the duty of the strong is to respond decisively. It also underscores the Mahābhārata theme that Kāla (Time/destiny) can cloud judgment, leading the wicked into confusion and eventual downfall.
Sahadeva confronts and reproaches the rākṣasa, who is disoriented and off his course, as if held by fate. Bhīma, enraged at the abduction of his brothers and Draupadī, challenges Jaṭāsura and declares that he had recognized him earlier when the demon was testing their weapons.