Shloka 54
अर्जुनागमनम्
Arjuna’s Arrival and Reunion on the Sacred Mountain
भीमके बाहुबलसे छूटे हुए अस्त्र-शस्त्रोंद्वारा यक्षों तथा राक्षसोंके शरीर और सिर कटे दिखायी दे रहे थे ।। प्रच्छाद्यमानं रक्षोभि: पाण्डवं प्रियदर्शनम् । ददृशु: सर्वभूतानि सूर्यमभ्रगणैरिव,जैसे बादल सूर्यको ढक लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार प्रियदर्शन पाण्डुपुत्र भीमको राक्षस ढक लेते हैं, यह सब प्राणियोंने प्रत्यक्ष देखा
bhīmake bāhubalase chūṭe huye astra-śastrondvārā yakṣāṇāṃ tathā rākṣasānāṃ śarīrāṇi śirāṃsi ca chinnāni dṛśyante sma || pracchādyamānaṃ rakṣobhiḥ pāṇḍavaṃ priyadarśanam | dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni sūryam abhragaṇair iva ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By the sheer strength of Bhīma’s arms, the missiles and weapons he had unleashed were seen to have severed the bodies and heads of the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas. As clouds veil the sun, so did the Rākṣasas swarm and cover the handsome Pāṇḍava Bhīma—this was plainly witnessed by all beings. The scene underscores both the ferocity of battle and the moral contrast between protective valor and predatory assault.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights righteous courage under overwhelming opposition: even when a protector is surrounded and obscured, steadfast strength and resolve can uphold dharma against predatory forces.
Bhīma’s weapons have already inflicted severe damage—heads and bodies of Yakṣas and Rākṣasas are seen severed—yet the remaining Rākṣasas mass together and cover him, like clouds covering the sun, a spectacle witnessed by all beings.