Shloka 236
Dvaītavana: Brahmaghoṣa, Rṣi-saṅgha, and Baka Dālbhyā’s Upadeśa to Yudhiṣṭhira
त्वप्प्रतिज्ञां प्रतीक्ष॑स्तु सहतेडयं वृकोदर: । ये शक्तिशाली भीमसेन युद्धमें समस्त कौरवोंको नष्ट कर देनेका उत्साह रखते हैं, परंतु आपकी प्रतिज्ञा-पूर्तिकी प्रतीक्षा करमेके कारण अबतक शत्रुओंके अपराधको सहन करते हैं
tvap-pratijñāṁ pratīkṣas tu sahate ’yaṁ vṛkodaraḥ |
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Este Vṛkodara (Bhīma), embora plenamente capaz, suporta as ofensas do inimigo apenas porque espera que cumpras o teu voto. Ele tem o ardor de destruir todos os Kauravas na batalha, mas se contém por respeito à tua palavra empenhada—mostrando que a força deve ser regida pelo dharma e pela fidelidade às promessas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even overwhelming power should be governed by dharma: Bhīma’s strength is restrained by respect for a pledged vow, showing that fidelity to one’s word and disciplined patience can be ethically superior to immediate retaliation.
Vaiśampāyana describes Bhīma (Vṛkodara) as eager and able to annihilate the Kauravas in battle, yet he continues to tolerate their offenses because he is waiting for the fulfillment of ‘your’ vow—implying a strategic and moral restraint tied to another person’s promise.