Shloka 64
Droṇa’s Ācārya-Dakṣiṇā: Capture of Drupada and Division of Pāñcāla (द्रोण-आचार्यदक्षिणा)
पश्यति सम महाबाहुं भीम॑ भीमपराक्रमम् । आर्यकेण च दृष्ट: स पृथाया आर्यकेण च
paśyati sa mahābāhuṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramam | āryakeṇa ca dṛṣṭaḥ sa pṛthāyā āryakeṇa ca ||
वैशम्पायन उवाच—ततोऽसौ भीमं ददर्श महाबाहुं भीमपराक्रमम्। तस्मिन्नेव काले पृथासम्बन्धिना वृद्धेन नागेनार्यकेण स दृष्टः। स वंशजं ज्ञात्वा तं दृढं परिष्वज्य वक्षसि संपीड्य हृष्टोऽभवत्। महायशा नागराजो वासुकिरपि भीमसेनं प्रति परमं प्रीतिमवाप्याब्रवीत्—“अस्य किं प्रियं क्रियताम्? धनं सुवर्णं रत्ननिचयश्चास्य प्रदीयताम्।”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the dharmic ethic of honoring kinship and offering protection and gifts to a worthy guest or relative. Recognition of lineage becomes a basis for care, support, and benevolent action rather than fear or hostility.
Bhīma is seen by the Nāga elder Āryaka and by the Nāga-king Vāsuki. Āryaka, recognizing Bhīma as a descendant connected to Pṛthā’s line, embraces him affectionately. Vāsuki, pleased, asks what favor or gift—wealth, gold, or jewels—should be offered to Bhīma.