Shloka 67
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
स्पर्थया च बलोन्मत्ता तावुभौ सूतपाण्डवौ । निशीथे पर्यकर्षेतां बलिनौ निर्जने स्थले,सूतपुत्र और पाण्डुनन्दन दोनों बलसे उन्मत्त हो रहे थे। वे दोनों बलवान वीर स्पर्धाके कारण उस निर्जन स्थानमें आधी रातके समय एक-दूसरेको खींचते और धक्के देते रहे
spardhayā ca balonmattā tāv ubhau sūtapāṇḍavau | niśīthe paryakarṣetāṃ balinau nirjane sthale ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Didorong oleh persaingan dan keangkuhan akan kekuatan, dua wira itu—anak Sūta dan anak Pāṇḍu—bergumul di tempat sunyi pada tengah malam. Kedua-duanya perkasa, mereka saling menarik dan menolak tanpa henti, pertarungan itu disulut oleh semangat berlawan lebih daripada kendali diri.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how rivalry (spardhā) and pride in strength can intoxicate even great warriors, pushing them toward prolonged, purposeless struggle. Ethically, it points to the need for restraint and discernment so that power serves dharma rather than ego-driven competition.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that the Sūta’s son (Karṇa) and the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) are locked in a forceful contest at midnight in a deserted place, repeatedly pulling and shoving each other as their competitive spirit escalates.