Shloka 67
ततः संहृत्य मुष्टिं तु पजचशीर्षमिवोरगम् । वेगेनाभ्यहनद् भीमो राक्षसस्य शिरोधराम्,तदनन्तर भीमसेनने पाँच सिरवाले सर्पकी भाँति अपने पाँच अंगुलियोंसे युक्त हाथकी मुट्ठी बाँधकर उसे राक्षसकी गर्दनपर बड़े वेगसे दे मारा
tataḥ saṁhṛtya muṣṭiṁ tu pañcaśīrṣam ivoragam | vegenābhyahanad bhīmo rākṣasasya śirodharām ||
Then Bhīma clenched his hand into a tight fist—like a five-hooded serpent—and with tremendous force struck the rākṣasa on the neck. The blow conveys Bhīma’s decisive, protective ferocity in confronting violent adharma, using sheer strength to subdue a threat.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights decisive strength used in the service of protection: when confronting violent, predatory forces (rākṣasas), righteous power is not mere aggression but a means to restrain adharma and safeguard those under threat.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma clenches his fist and, likening it to a five-hooded serpent, delivers a powerful strike to the rākṣasa’s neck, marking a forceful turn in the combat.