Shloka 16
Puṣkara-Tīrtha-Māhātmya and the Phala of Pilgrimage
Nārada–Yudhiṣṭhira; Pulastya–Bhīṣma Transmission
तथा लालप्यमानां तां निशम्य परवीरहा । भीमसेनो महाराज द्रौपदीमिदमब्रवीत्,महाराज! इस प्रकार विलाप करती हुई द्रौपदीकी बात सुनकर शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले भीमसेनने उससे इस प्रकार कहा
tathā lālapyamānāṃ tāṃ niśamya paravīrahā | bhīmaseno mahārāja draupadīm idam abravīt ||
Hearing Draupadī as she lamented in this manner, Bhīmasena—slayer of hostile heroes—addressed her, O King, and spoke these words. The verse frames Bhīma’s response as arising from attentive listening to suffering, setting the ethical tone for counsel that follows: grief is acknowledged, and action is prepared within the demands of kṣatriya duty and justice.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical sequence: first, truly hearing another’s suffering (Draupadī’s lament), and then responding with purposeful counsel. It prepares the ground for dharma-guided action—grief is not ignored, but transformed into resolve aligned with justice and duty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma hears Draupadī lamenting and then begins to speak to her. This is a transition verse introducing Bhīma’s forthcoming words and signaling a shift from lamentation to deliberation and action.