Shloka 20
द्रौपदी-भीमसेनसंवादः
Draupadī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Suffering, Kāla, and Daiva
त॑ वेणीकृतकेशान्तं भीमधन्वानमर्जुनम् कन्यापरिवृतं दृष्टवा भीम सीदति मे मन:
taṁ veṇīkṛtakeśāntaṁ bhīmadhanvānām arjunam kanyāparivṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīma sīdati me manaḥ
వైశంపాయనుడు పలికెను—వేణి కట్టిన కేశాంతముతో, భీమునితో సమాన బలధనుర్ధరుడైన అర్జునుడిని కన్యలు చుట్టుముట్టి ఉండగా చూచి భీముని మనస్సు దిగులుపడెను.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one’s true power and status are intact, dharma may demand concealment and patience. The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal honor and disciplined restraint undertaken for a righteous objective, and it acknowledges the emotional cost borne by loved ones who witness that sacrifice.
During the Pandavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s kingdom, Arjuna lives in disguise (as a dance/music teacher among women). Bhīma sees him with hair dressed in a braid and surrounded by maidens, and Bhīma becomes inwardly distressed at the humiliating appearance forced by their circumstances.