Shloka 22
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
ततो भीमस्य शब्देन भीता: सर्पा गुहाशया:
tato bhīmasya śabdena bhītāḥ sarpā guhāśayāḥ |
ततो भीमस्य शब्देन भीताः सर्पा गुहाशयाः। वेगेन विप्रदुद्रावुर्भीमः शनैरन्वयात्॥ ततः स देववरप्रख्यो महाबलः कान्तिमान्। ददर्शाजगरं घोरं लोमहर्षणदर्शनम्॥ स कायेनावृत्य कन्दरां गिरिदुर्गे व्यवस्थितः। दुर्गमे गिरिदेशेऽसौ निवसत्यतिभीषणः॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and courage are not ends in themselves; they often serve to reveal concealed threats and initiate a deeper moral test. Bhīma’s roar drives hidden serpents out, setting the stage for discernment and right action rather than impulsive aggression.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Bhīma’s loud cry frightens the cave-dwelling serpents, who flee quickly. Bhīma follows them and soon encounters a terrifying, enormous python occupying a cavern in a difficult mountain region.