Shloka 17
Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
तेषामाकारभावज्ञ: कुन्तीपुत्रो वृकोदर:
teṣām ākāra-bhāva-jñaḥ kuntīputro vṛkodaraḥ | hastaṃ hastena niṣpiṣya ulūkaṃ vākyam abravīt ||
Sañjaya berkata: Mengetahui rupa lahir dan niat batin mereka, Vṛkodara (Bhīma), putera Kuntī, menggenggam satu tangan pada yang lain lalu berkata kepada Ulūka.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights discernment (reading appearance and intention) and the moral psychology of anger: Bhīma’s wrath is not mere impulse but a response shaped by perceived intent and the demands of impending dharma-yuddha, where self-control and clarity precede speech and action.
Sañjaya describes Bhīma’s reaction upon understanding the opposing side’s demeanor and motives. Bhīma clenches his hands in anger and begins to speak directly to Ulūka, setting up a confrontational exchange in the lead-up to war.