Shloka 32
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
उवाच चैतान् राजासौ स्वागतं वो<स्त्विति प्रभु: । मौनमासीत् तदा पार्थभीमयोर्जनमेजय
uvāca caitān rājāsau svāgataṃ vo ’stv iti prabhuḥ | maunam āsīt tadā pārtha-bhīmayor janamejaya ||
Raja itu, penguasa manusia, berkata kepada mereka: “Selamat datang—semoga sejahtera atas kamu.” Namun pada saat itu, wahai Janamejaya, Pārtha (Arjuna) dan Bhīma tetap berdiam diri.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of restraint: even when formally welcomed by a ruler, the wise may choose silence, signaling controlled speech and inner vigilance within a politically sensitive setting.
The king greets the arriving party with a formal welcome, but Arjuna (Pārtha) and Bhīma do not respond; their silence suggests tension or deliberate composure in the royal assembly.