Pāṇḍava-senā-niryāṇa and Vyūha-vibhāga (पाण्डवसेनानिर्याण तथा व्यूहविभाग)
हस्तं हस्तेन निष्पिष्य उलूकं॑ वाक्यमब्रवीत् | उनकी आकृति और भावको जानकर दुन्तीपुत्र वृकोदर बड़े वेगसे उठे और क्रोधसे जलते हुएके समान सहसा आँखें फाड़-फाड़कर देखते
hastaṃ hastena niṣpiṣya ulūkaṃ vākyam abravīt |
Sañjaya berkata: Sambil menekan sebelah tangan ke sebelah tangan yang lain—menahan amarah yang membara—Bhīma, putera Kuntī, bangkit dengan pantas. Setelah membaca rupa dan niat Ulūka, dia merenung dengan mata terbeliak, mengertap gigi, dan, seakan-akan terbakar oleh murka, berkata kepada Ulūka seperti berikut—menandakan bahawa ejekan sang utusan telah melampaui batas tutur yang terhormat, dan kini menuntut jawapan seorang pahlawan yang wajib membalas penghinaan dengan keteguhan hati.
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical tension between restraint and righteous response: provocative or dishonorable speech (especially from an envoy) can inflame conflict, yet a warrior’s dharma also demands firmness against insult and intimidation. It frames anger as a powerful force that must be directed toward duty rather than uncontrolled violence.
After hearing Ulūka’s message and recognizing his hostile intent, Bhīma reacts physically—rising abruptly, staring fiercely, grinding his teeth, and rubbing his hands—then begins to reply to Ulūka. The scene sets up Bhīma’s verbal counter to the Kaurava envoy’s taunts and escalates the pre-war confrontation.