Shloka 21
भীমेन युधिष्ठिरस्य त्यागवृत्तेः प्रतिषेधः
Bhīma’s Rebuttal of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Inclination
शक््यं तु मौनमास्थाय बिशभ्रता55त्मानमात्मना । धर्मच्छञ्म समास्थाय च्यवितुं न तु जीवितुम्,धर्मका बहाना लेकर अपनेद्वारा केवल अपना पेट पालते हुए मौनी बाबा बनकर बैठ जानेसे कर्तव्यसे भ्रष्ट होना ही सम्भव है, जीवनको सार्थक बनाना नहीं
śakyaṃ tu maunam āsthāya bibhratātmānam ātmanā | dharmacchannaṃ samāsthāya cyavituṃ na tu jīvitum ||
Bhīma berkata: “Seseorang memang boleh mengambil jalan diam dan, dengan usaha sendiri, menyara diri. Namun jika berlindung pada ‘dharma’ yang sekadar topeng, yang terjadi hanyalah tersasar daripada kewajipan sejati—bukan benar-benar hidup atau memaknakan kehidupan.”
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhima warns that outward renunciation—such as adopting silence—can become a mask for avoiding one’s rightful responsibilities. When ‘dharma’ is used as a cover for comfort or self-preservation, it leads to deviation from true duty rather than a meaningful life.
In the Shanti Parva’s ethical discussions, Bhima speaks forcefully against escapist asceticism. He argues that merely sustaining oneself while posing as a silent holy man does not fulfill dharma; it risks abandoning one’s obligations under the guise of righteousness.