Shloka 16
Bhīmasya paruṣa-vākyaṃ
Bhīma’s Harsh Speech Heard by Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī
“जब तुम वनमें चले गये थे, उन दिनों तेरह वर्षोतक अपने पुत्रके अधीन रहनेवाले विशाल राज्यका इन्होंने उपभोग किया और नाना प्रकारके धन दिये हैं ।। त्वया चायं नरव्याप्र गुरुशुश्रूषयानघ । आराधित: सभृत्येन गान्धारी च यशस्विनी,“निष्पाप नरव्याप्र! सेवकोंसहित तुमने भी गुरुसेवाके भावसे इनकी तथा यशस्विनी गान्धारी देवीकी आराधना की है
tvayā cāyaṃ naravyāghra guruśuśrūṣayānagha | ārādhitaḥ sabhṛtyena gāndhārī ca yaśasvinī ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Quando foste para a floresta, naqueles dias, por treze anos ele usufruiu e administrou o vasto reino que permanecia sob a linha de teu filho, e concedeu riquezas de muitos tipos. E tu também, ó tigre entre os homens, ó sem pecado—junto com teus servidores—o honraste e serviste com o espírito de devota assistência aos mais velhos; e do mesmo modo prestaste a devida reverência à ilustre rainha Gāndhārī.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma expressed as respectful service to elders—approaching them with the attitude of guru-sevā, not merely political obligation. Ethical excellence is shown through reverence, humility, and care, extended even to those connected with former adversaries.
Vaiśampāyana recalls how the addressed hero (contextually a Pāṇḍava, especially Yudhiṣṭhira) honored and attended upon the elder king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) and also revered Queen Gāndhārī, doing so along with his attendants—emphasizing continued duty and reconciliation in the post-war forest-dwelling phase.