Shloka 14
Ritual Acclamation at Hastināpura and Karṇa’s Vow Concerning Arjuna (राजकीय स्तुति-प्रसङ्गः कर्णप्रतिज्ञा च)
तांस्तथा व्यथितान् दीनान् भिक्षमाणान् युधिष्ठटिरम् वृद्धान् दुर्योधनामात्यान् भीमसेनो 5 भ्यभाषत,दुर्योधनके उन बूढ़े मन्त्रियोंको इस प्रकार दीन एवं दुःखी होकर युधिष्ठिरसे सहायताकी भीख माँगते देख भीमसेनने कहा--
tāṁs tathā vyathitān dīnān bhikṣamāṇān yudhiṣṭhiram vṛddhān duryodhanāmātyān bhīmaseno 'bhyabhāṣata
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Vendo os ministros idosos de Duryodhana—aflitos e humilhados—aproximarem-se de Yudhiṣṭhira para suplicar ajuda, Bhīmasena dirigiu-se a eles.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how power and pride can collapse into dependence, and it frames an ethical test for the righteous: when former opponents seek aid in misery, one must weigh compassion and duty against the demands of justice and the memory of wrongdoing.
Duryodhana’s elderly ministers, now distressed, approach Yudhiṣṭhira to beg for assistance. Observing this, Bhīma speaks to them, signaling a response from the Pāṇḍava side to their plea.