Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 14
Chapter 59: Baladeva’s Censure, Keśava’s Restraint, and Yudhiṣṭhira’s Moral Accounting
तव पुत्र तथा हत्वा कत्थमानं वृकोदरम् । नृत्यमानं च बहुशो धर्मराजो<ब्रवीदिदम्,आपके पुत्रको मारकर बहुत बढ़-बढ़कर बातें बनाते और बारंबार नाचते-कूदते हुए भीमसेनसे धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरने इस प्रकार कहा--
tava putraṃ tathā hatvā katthamānaṃ vṛkodaram | nṛtyamānaṃ ca bahuśo dharmarājo 'bravīd idam ||
சஞ்சயன் கூறினான்—உமது மகனை வதைத்த பின், வ்ருகோதரன் பீமன் பெருமிதத்துடன் பெருமை பேசிக் கொண்டும், மீண்டும் மீண்டும் களிப்பில் ஆடிக் கொண்டும் இருந்தான்; அப்போது தர்மராஜன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் அவனிடம் இவ்வாறு கூறினான்.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that dharma is not only about winning a just cause but also about the manner of victory. Exulting, boasting, or humiliating the defeated—especially after death—can violate the ethical restraint expected of the righteous, prompting Yudhiṣṭhira to correct Bhīma’s conduct.
Sañjaya reports to Dhṛtarāṣṭra that Bhīma has killed Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s son (contextually Duryodhana) and is celebrating with boastful words and repeated dancing. At that point Yudhiṣṭhira speaks to Bhīma, setting up a moral admonition about proper behavior after a killing in war.
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