Shloka 17
द्रौपद्याः भीमसेन-प्रबोधनम्
Draupadī Awakens Bhīmasena
अथावमृदनादड्गुष्ठमड्गुछ्ेन युधिष्ठिर: । प्रबोधनभयाद् राजा भीम तं॑ प्रत्यषेधयत्,तब राजा युधिष्ठिरने रहस्य प्रकट हो जानेके डरसे अपने अँगूठेसे भीमका अँगूठा दबाया और इस प्रकार उन्हें उत्तेजित होनेसे रोका
athāvamṛdanād aṅguṣṭham aṅguṣṭhena yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | prabodhana-bhayād rājā bhīmaṁ taṁ praty-aṣedhayat ||
Então, pressentindo o perigo de um ímpeto impensado, o rei Yudhiṣṭhira apertou o polegar de Bhīma com o seu. Temendo que sua identidade oculta fosse exposta, conteve Bhīma e impediu que ele fosse provocado a agir.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma here is expressed as disciplined self-restraint: even justified anger must be governed by prudence when a larger duty—protecting the mission and safeguarding others—depends on secrecy and composure.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay, Bhīma is about to react strongly; Yudhiṣṭhira, fearing their disguise will be revealed, silently signals restraint by pressing Bhīma’s thumb and prevents him from acting rashly.