Shloka 20
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
चापं वा यदि वा शक्ति निस्त्रिंशं वा परश्वधम् । यदेव मानुषं भीम भवेदन्यैरलक्षितम्
cāpaṃ vā yadi vā śaktiṃ nistriṃśaṃ vā paraśvadham | yadeva mānuṣaṃ bhīma bhaved anyair alakṣitam ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “Seja um arco, ou uma lança, ou uma espada, ou um machado—ó Bhīma—que seja algo de aparência meramente humana e que passe despercebido aos outros.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a situation requiring concealment, strength must be governed by discretion: one should choose means that do not attract attention, practicing restraint and strategic prudence to protect a larger dharmic aim.
During the Virāṭa episode, guidance is given to Bhīma about weapons: if he must keep arms, they should look ordinary and remain undetected by others, supporting the Pandavas’ need to stay unrecognized.