Shloka 55
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
स निःसज्रो जलस्यान्तमथ वै पाण्डवोडविशत् । आक्रामन्नागभवने तदा नागकुमारकान्
sa niḥsajro jalasyāntam atha vai pāṇḍavo 'daviśat | ākrāmann āgabhavane tadā nāgakumārakān |
स निःसस्रौ जलस्यान्तमथ वै पाण्डवोऽविशेत् । आक्रामन्नागभवने तदा नागकुमारकान् ॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even great physical power can be neutralized by hidden dangers and collective forces; the episode cautions against heedlessness and highlights how quickly circumstances can humble the strong, prompting the need for vigilance and self-control.
Bhīma sinks to the bottom of the water and enters the Nāga realm; as he moves, he crushes some Nāga youths, after which many venomous Nāgas attack and bite him severely with their fangs.