Shloka 23
Kṛṣṇa at Duryodhana’s House: Refusal of Hospitality and Departure to Vidura (कृष्णस्य धार्तराष्ट्रनिवेशनगमनम्)
कीचकस्य तु सज्ञातेर्यों हनता मधुसूदन । शूर: क्रोधवशानां च हिडिम्बस्य बकस्य च
vaishampāyana uvāca |
kīcakasya tu saṃjñāter yo hanatā madhusūdana |
śūraḥ krodhavaśānāṃ ca hiḍimbasya bakasya ca ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Ó Madhusūdana, conta-me sobre aquele herói—Bhīma, o matador de Kīcaka quando sua identidade foi revelada, e também o destruidor dos rākṣasas movidos pela ira, de Hiḍimba e de Baka. Como está agora esse meu segundo filho?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic role of strength: Bhīma’s celebrated might is framed as protective and corrective—used to remove violent oppressors (Kīcaka and rākṣasas). Power gains ethical legitimacy when directed toward safeguarding others and upholding rightful order rather than personal rage.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Bhīma is identified through a catalogue of his famous deeds—killing Kīcaka once his identity was revealed, and earlier slaying the rākṣasas Hiḍimba and Baka. The speaker addresses Kṛṣṇa (Madhusūdana) and asks for news of Bhīma’s present condition.