Shloka 41
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
पुनरन्तःपुरगतः स्त्रीणां मध्ये वृकोदर: । योध्यते स विराटेन सिंहैर्मत्तैमहाबलै:,कभी-कभी विराटकी प्रेरणासे स्त्रियोंके अन्तःपुरमें जाकर भीमसेन उन्हें दिखानेके लिये महान् बलवान् और मतवाले सिंहोंके साथ लड़ा करते थे
punar antaḥpuragataḥ strīṇāṁ madhye vṛkodaraḥ | yodhyate sa virāṭena siṁhair mattaiḥ mahābalaiḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Muli, si Vṛkodara (Bhīma) ay pumapasok sa looban ng kababaihan at tumatayo sa gitna nila; sa udyok ni Haring Virāṭa, nakikipaglaban siya sa mga leon na ubod-lakas at nagngangalit, upang ipamalas ang kanyang galing sa kanilang pagkamangha.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even immense power should be governed by dharma and discretion. Bhīma’s strength is not used for ego or harm but is carefully displayed in a controlled setting, supporting the higher duty of maintaining secrecy during the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito period.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ year of concealment in King Virāṭa’s court, Bhīma (as Vṛkodara) is brought into the palace women’s quarters and, at Virāṭa’s prompting, fights mighty, frenzied lions as a demonstration of valor and entertainment.