Shloka 26
Mahāprasthānika-parva Adhyāya 2: The Northward March, Sight of Himavat and Meru, and the Sequential Falls
युधिष्ठिरने कहा--भीमसेन! तुम बहुत खाते थे और दूसरोंको कुछ भी न समझकर अपने बलकी डींग हाँका करते थे; इसीसे तुम्हें भी धराशायी होना पड़ा है ।।
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca—bhīmasena! tvaṃ bahu aśnāsi, anyān avamanyamānaḥ sva-balaṃ ślāghase; tasmād api tvaṃ dharaṇyāṃ nipatitaḥ. ity uktvā taṃ mahābāhur jagāma anavalokayan; śaśvāpy eko ’nuyayau yas te bahuśaḥ kīrtito mayā.
ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର କହିଲେ— “ଭୀମସେନ! ତୁମେ ଅତି ଖାଉଥିଲ, ଆଉ ଅନ୍ୟମାନଙ୍କୁ ଗଣନା ନ କରି ନିଜ ବଳର ଡିଙ୍ଗ ମାରୁଥିଲ; ସେଇଥିପାଇଁ ତୁମେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଭୂମିରେ ପଡ଼ିଲ।” ଏହା କହି ମହାବାହୁ ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର ପଛକୁ ନ ଚାହିଁ ଆଗକୁ ଚାଲିଗଲେ। ତଥାପି ଗୋଟିଏ ସହଚର ତାଙ୍କ ପଛେ ପଛେ ଚାଲିଲ—ଯାହାକୁ ମୁଁ ବହୁବାର କୀର୍ତ୍ତନ କରିଛି।
युधिषछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links moral failings—excess (overindulgence) and prideful self-assertion that disregards others—to inevitable downfall. It underscores dharma as self-restraint and humility, even for the powerful.
During the great final journey (mahāprasthāna), Bhīma collapses. Yudhiṣṭhira explains the ethical cause of Bhīma’s fall and continues onward without looking back; only one companion remains following him.