Shloka 26
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
ते तु दृष्टया तदा5<विद्धं भीमसेनेन पादपम् | विमुच्य द्रौपदी तत्र प्राद्रवन्नगरं प्रति,इतनेमें ही भीमसेनके द्वारा घुमाये जाते हुए उस वृक्षको देखकर वे द्रौपदीको वहीं छोड़ नगरकी ओर भागने लगे
te tu dṛṣṭvā tadā viddhaṃ bhīmasenena pādapam | vimucya draupadīṃ tatra prādravan nagaraṃ prati ||
Mas, ao verem a árvore atingida e posta em movimento por Bhīmasena, soltaram Draupadī ali mesmo e fugiram apressados em direção à cidade, dominados pelo medo diante daquela súbita demonstração de força e da consequência imediata do seu malfeito.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic pattern: when the strong act to protect the wronged, aggressors often retreat, and harm is checked. Power is shown here not for cruelty but as a deterrent that restores safety and moral order.
As narrated by Vaiśampāyana, the men threatening Draupadī see a tree struck and whirled/brandished by Bhīmasena; frightened by this sudden show of force, they abandon Draupadī and run back toward the city.