Shloka 56
Kubera’s Arrival and the Disclosure of Agastya’s Curse
Vaiśaṃpāyana–Janamejaya Narrative
इत्येवमुक्त्वा तौ वीरौ स्पर्थमानौ परस्परम् | बाहुभ्यां समसज्जेतामुभौ रक्षोवृकोदरी,ऐसा कहकर वे दोनों वीर राक्षत और भीम एक-दूसरेसे स्पर्धा रखते हुए बाँहोंसे बाँहें मिलाकर गुथ गये
ity evam uktvā tau vīrau spardhamānau parasparam | bāhubhyāṃ samasajjetām ubhau rakṣo-vṛkodarī ||
Disse Vaiśaṃpāyana: Tendo falado assim, os dois heróis—Bhīma (Vṛkodara) e o rākṣasa—ardendo em rivalidade um contra o outro, aproximaram-se e se agarraram, braço com braço, em luta. A cena marca a passagem das palavras ao confronto corporal direto, onde orgulho e destreza são provados numa disputa face a face.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pivot from speech to action: when rivalry escalates, the contest becomes a direct test of self-control, courage, and strength. It also reflects the kṣatriya ideal of meeting a challenge face-to-face rather than through deceit.
After exchanging words, Bhīma (Vṛkodara) and the rākṣasa move into close combat. They seize each other and grapple, locking arms, signaling the beginning of a decisive physical struggle.