Shloka 19
Mahāprasthānika-parva Adhyāya 2: The Northward March, Sight of Himavat and Meru, and the Sequential Falls
तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याप्रे पतिते शक्रतेजसि । ग्रियमाणे दुराधर्षे भीमो राजानमब्रवीत्
tasmiṃstu puruṣavyāpre patite śakratejasi | gṛhyamāṇe durādharṣe bhīmo rājānam abravīt ||
Noong sandaling iyon, ang makapangyarihang bayani—si Arjuna, na nagniningning sa ningning ni Indra—ay bumagsak sa lupa; ang mandirigmang di-madadaig ay papalapit na sa wakas. Kaya si Bhīma ay nagsalita kay Haring Yudhiṣṭhira. Isang mabigat na sandali ito ng pagsubok sa dharma: kahit ang pinakadakila ay maaaring bumagsak, at ang mga naiwan ay kailangang harapin ang pananagutan at ang mga lihim na sanhi ng pagdurusa sa huling paglalakbay.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the most exalted hero can fall; the episode presses the ethical question of why suffering befalls the virtuous and how one should respond—without attachment, with discernment about karma and dharma, and with steadiness in the face of death.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ final journey, Arjuna collapses and approaches death. Bhīma, shaken by the fall of the Indra-like warrior, turns to King Yudhiṣṭhira to ask the reason—setting up an explanation tied to conduct, vows, and the subtle workings of dharma.