Shloka 21
Chapter 49: Sañjaya’s Enumeration of the Pāṇḍava Coalition (पाण्डवसैन्यसमागम-वर्णनम्)
निः:सृत्य जतुगेहाद् वै हिडिम्बात् पुरुषादकात् | यश्चलैषामभवद् द्वीप: कुन्तीपुत्रो वृकोदर:
niḥsṛtya jatugṛhād vai hiḍimbāt puruṣādakāt | yaś cālaiṣām abhavad dvīpaḥ kuntīputro vṛkodaraḥ ||
संजय म्हणाला—जतुगृहातून बाहेर पडून आणि नरभक्षक हिडिंब राक्षसापासून वाचून, कुंतीपुत्र वृकोदर (भीम) त्यांच्यासाठी जणू ‘द्वीप’ ठरला—आपत्तीत आश्रय व रक्षण करणारा आधार.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical ideal of protective strength used in service of others: Bhīma’s power is portrayed not merely as force, but as a refuge—like an island—for those endangered. Courage and capability attain moral worth when they safeguard the vulnerable.
Sañjaya recalls earlier crises faced by the Pāṇḍavas: their escape from the lac-house plot and their deliverance from the man-eating rākṣasa Hiḍimba. In both dangers, Bhīma (Vṛkodara), Kuntī’s son, functioned as their chief protector and means of survival.