Shloka 19
कैलास-श्वेतगिरि-प्रवेशवर्णनम्
Approach to Śveta Mountain and Kailāsa; Lomāśa’s Warnings and Protective Instructions
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो<ब्रवीद् भीममुदारवीर्य कृष्णां यत्त: पालय भीमसेन । शून्येडर्जुनेडसंनिहिते च तात त्वामेव कृष्णा भजते भयेषु,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! तदनन्तर राजा युधिष्ठिर महाबली भीमसे इस प्रकार बोले--“भैया भीमसेन! तुम सावधान रहकर द्रौपदीकी रक्षा करो। तात! किसी निर्जन प्रदेशमें जबकि अर्जुन हमारे समीप नहीं हैं भयका अवसर उपस्थित होनेपर द्रौपदी तुम्हारा ही आश्रय लेती है”
vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato 'bravīd bhīmam udāravīryaḥ kṛṣṇāṃ yataḥ pālaya bhīmasena | śūnye 'rjune 'saṃnihite ca tāta tvām eva kṛṣṇā bhajate bhayeṣu ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Então o rei, de nobre vigor, dirigiu-se a Bhīma: “Bhīmasena, mantém-te vigilante e protege Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī). Meu caro, quando estamos num lugar ermo e Arjuna não está por perto, é a ti, e somente a ti, que Kṛṣṇā recorre como refúgio nos momentos de medo.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as protective responsibility: strength and valor are meant to safeguard those who depend on you. It also underscores trust within the family—Draupadī’s refuge in Bhīma during danger becomes a moral charge for Bhīma to remain vigilant, especially when Arjuna is absent.
In the forest-exile setting, the speaker reports that Yudhiṣṭhira addresses Bhīma directly, instructing him to guard Draupadī. The reason given is practical and emotional: in lonely places, when Arjuna is not nearby, Draupadī turns to Bhīma for protection in moments of fear.