Shloka 17
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
वैशम्पायन उवाच त॑ मत्तमिव मातजुूं वीक्षमाणं वनस्पतिम् । अब्रवीद् भ्रातरं वीरं धर्मराजो युधिषछ्िर:,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! यह कहकर भीमसेन मदोन्मत्त गजराजकी भाँति उस वृक्षकी ओर देखने लगे। तब धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने अपने वीर भ्रातासे कहा--
vaiśampāyana uvāca | taṁ mattam iva mātaṅgaṁ vīkṣamāṇaṁ vanaspatim | abravīd bhrātaraṁ vīraṁ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
വൈശമ്പായനൻ പറഞ്ഞു—രാജാവേ, ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞ ശേഷം ഭീമസേനൻ മദിച്ച ഗജരാജനെപ്പോലെ ആ വൃക്ഷത്തെ ഉറ്റുനോക്കി നിന്നു. അപ്പോൾ ധർമ്മരാജൻ യുധിഷ്ഠിരൻ തന്റെ വീര സഹോദരനോട് പറഞ്ഞു—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pivot from impulsive force to dharmic restraint: Bhīma’s fierce, almost uncontrolled readiness is met by Yudhiṣṭhira’s role as Dharmarāja, who intervenes through counsel so that action aligns with prudence and righteousness.
After speaking, Bhīma keeps glaring at a particular tree with the intensity of a maddened elephant. Observing this charged posture, Yudhiṣṭhira turns to address his brave brother, preparing to guide or moderate the next step in the unfolding situation.