Shloka 13
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 21 — Kīcaka’s clandestine approach and Bhīma’s covert intervention (नर्तनागारे कीचकवध-प्रसङ्गः)
रक्षसा निग्रहं प्राप्प रामस्य महिषी प्रिया । क्लिश्यमानापि सुश्रोणि राममेवान्वपद्यत,सुश्रोणि! जानकी श्रीरामकी प्यारी रानी थीं। वे राक्षसकी कैदमें पड़कर दीर्घकालतक क्लेश उठाती रहीं, तो भी उन्होंने श्रीरामको ही अपनाये रखा; अपना धर्म नहीं छोड़ा
rakṣasā nigrahaṁ prāptaṁ rāmasya mahiṣī priyā | kliśyamānāpi suśroṇi rāmam evānvapadyata |
Bhīmasena berkata: “Sītā, permaisuri kesayangan Rāma, telah jatuh ke dalam tahanan seorang rākṣasa. Walaupun dia menderita lama dan sangat tersiksa, wahai wanita berpinggul elok, dia tetap berlindung pada Rāma semata-mata—tidak pernah meninggalkan dharma dan kesetiaannya.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse upholds steadfast dharma and fidelity: even under coercion and prolonged suffering, one should remain true to one’s rightful refuge and moral commitment, exemplified by Sītā’s unwavering devotion to Rāma.
Bhīmasena cites the well-known Rāmāyaṇa episode of Sītā’s captivity under a rākṣasa to illustrate a moral example—despite hardship and confinement, she remained devoted to Rāma alone—using it as persuasive instruction within the Mahābhārata context.