Mahabharata 7.141.89 — Drona Parva, Adhyaya 141, Shloka 89
Adhyāya 141 — Night duels: Śaineya and Bhūriśravas; Droṇi and Ghaṭotkaca; Bhīma and Duryodhana
भीमो5पि मुष्टिमुद्यम्य वज्गर्भा सुदारुणाम् । हन्तुमैच्छत् सूतपुत्रं संस्मरन्नर्जुनं क्षणात्
bhīmo 'pi muṣṭim udyamya vajragarbhāṁ sudāruṇām | hantum aicchat sūtaputraṁ saṁsmarann arjunaṁ kṣaṇāt ||
संजय म्हणाला—भीमानेही अंगठा मुठीत दाबून वज्रासारखा अत्यंत भयंकर घाव उचलला आणि सूतपुत्र कर्णाला मारून टाकावे अशी इच्छा केली; पण त्याच क्षणी त्याला अर्जुनाची आठवण झाली. म्हणून सव्यसाची अर्जुनाने पूर्वी केलेली प्रतिज्ञा जपत, समर्थ व बलवान असूनही, त्या वेळी भीमाने कर्णाचा वध केला नाही.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in the heat of battle, strength must be governed by dharma: Bhima restrains himself to uphold Arjuna’s pledged right and the moral discipline of keeping vows, showing that ethical commitment can override immediate advantage.
Bhima raises a devastating fist to kill Karna, but instantly recalls Arjuna and refrains, so that Arjuna’s earlier vow/claim regarding Karna’s slaying is not violated.
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