Shloka 21
बक-राक्षसस्य आह्वानम् तथा वृक्षयुद्धम्
Summons of Baka and the Tree-Weapon Engagement
स सुप्तां मातरं दृष्टवा क्षातृश्च वसुधातले । भृशं शोकपरीतात्मा विललाप वृकोदर:,माता और भाइयोंको धरतीपर सोया देख भीमसेन मन-ही-मन अत्यन्त शोकसे संतप्त हो गये और इस प्रकार विलाप करने लगे---
sa suptāṃ mātaraṃ dṛṣṭvā kṣātr̥ś ca vasudhātale | bhṛśaṃ śokaparītātmā vilalāpa vṛkodaraḥ ||
Nang makita niyang natutulog ang kanyang ina sa hubad na lupa, at gayundin ang kanyang mga kapatid, si Bhīma—si Vṛkodara—ay lubusang nilamon ng dalamhati. Sinakal ng pighati ang kanyang puso, at nagsimula siyang managhoy, inilalantad ang kirot na moral ng isang anak at kapatid na humaharap sa kawalang-kaya at panganib ng kanyang pamilya.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic sensitivity of a strong warrior: true strength includes compassion and responsibility. Bhīma’s grief arises from seeing his mother and brothers vulnerable, underscoring the ethical impulse to protect family and the helpless rather than remain emotionally indifferent.
In this moment of Ādi Parva, Bhīma (Vṛkodara) sees his mother and brothers lying asleep on the ground. Overcome with intense sorrow and anxiety, he begins to lament—setting up the emotional and moral tension of the scene and foreshadowing his resolve to act.