Shloka 32
Jarāsandha–Bhīma Niyuddha-prastāvaḥ
Commencement of the Regulated Duel
उवाच चैतान् राजासौ स्वागतं वो<स्त्विति प्रभु: । मौनमासीत् तदा पार्थभीमयोर्जनमेजय
uvāca caitān rājāsau svāgataṃ vo ’stv iti prabhuḥ | maunam āsīt tadā pārtha-bhīmayor janamejaya ||
At sinabi ng hari, ang panginoon ng mga tao, sa kanila: “Maligayang pagdating—nawa’y mapabuti kayo.” Ngunit sa sandaling iyon, O Janamejaya, nanatiling tahimik si Pārtha (Arjuna) at si Bhīma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of restraint: even when formally welcomed by a ruler, the wise may choose silence, signaling controlled speech and inner vigilance within a politically sensitive setting.
The king greets the arriving party with a formal welcome, but Arjuna (Pārtha) and Bhīma do not respond; their silence suggests tension or deliberate composure in the royal assembly.