Shloka 6
शकुनेः पुत्रेण सह आश्वमेधाश्वविषयः संघर्षः — Arjuna’s restrained engagement with Śakuni’s son during the horse-escort
प्रोवाचेद॑ वच: काले तदा धर्मभूतां वर: । आमन्त्र्य वदतां श्रेष्ठो भीम॑ प्रहरतां वरम्
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
provācedaṁ vacaḥ kāle tadā dharmabhūtāṁ varaḥ |
āmantrya vadatāṁ śreṣṭho bhīmaṁ praharatāṁ varam, kurunandana |
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Naquele momento oportuno, Yudhiṣṭhira, o primeiro entre os justos, proferiu palavras adequadas ao tempo. Tendo mandado chamar Bhīma, o melhor entre os que desferem golpes, e dirigindo-se a ele—ó alegria dos Kurus—Yudhiṣṭhira, o mais virtuoso dos oradores, começou a falar.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma-guided leadership: a righteous king speaks only at the proper time and addresses the most capable person for the task, combining ethical authority (dharma) with practical discernment (kāla, timeliness).
The narrator introduces a scene where Yudhiṣṭhira, after summoning Bhīma, begins to deliver a timely instruction. The verse functions as a transition into Yudhiṣṭhira’s counsel or command directed specifically to Bhīma.