Shloka 16
Bhīma–Draupadī Saṃvāda on Restraint, Protection, and the Kīcaka Threat
Virāṭa-parva, Adhyāya 20
पाण्डुनन्दन! देखो, मेरे शरीरकी कान्ति कैसी फीकी पड़ गयी है! यहाँ नगरमें मेरी जो अवस्था है, वह उन दिनों अत्यन्त दुःखपूर्ण वनवासके समय भी नहीं थी,त्वमेव भीम जानीषे यन्मे पार्थ सुखं पुरा । साहं दासीत्वमापन्ना न शान्तिमवशा लभे भीमसेन! तुम्हीं जानते हो, पहले मुझे कितना सुख था। यहाँ आकर जबसे मैं दासीभावको प्राप्त हुई हूँ, तभीसे परतन्त्र होनेके कारण मुझे तनिक भी शान्ति नहीं मिलती है। इसे मैं दैवकी ही लीला मानती हूँ। जहाँ प्रचण्ड धनुष धारण करनेवाले महाबाहु अर्जुन भी राखसे ढकी हुई अग्निकी भाँति रनिवासमें छिपकर रहते हैं
tvam eva bhīma jānīṣe yan me pārtha sukhaṃ purā | sāhaṃ dāsītvam āpannā na śāntim avaśā labhe ||
“Bhīma, ikaw lamang ang nakaaalam kung gaano kalaki ang ligayang tinamasa ko noon. Ngayon, pagdating ko rito at pagkahulog sa kalagayan ng isang alilang babae, wala akong natatamong kahit munting kapayapaan—sapilitang umaasa at walang magawa. Itinuturing ko itong laro ng kapalaran: maging si Arjuna na makapangyarihan ang bisig, tagapagdala ng mabagsik na pana, ay kailangang magkubli sa silid ng mga babae na parang apoy na natabunan ng abo.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and psychological burden of forced dependence: loss of autonomy brings inner unrest even more than physical hardship. It also teaches endurance under fate (daiva) and the idea that true strength can remain concealed—like fire under ash—until the right time for dharmic action.
During the Pandavas’ incognito year in King Virāṭa’s realm, Draupadī (serving as a maid) laments to Bhīma that she has lost peace due to servitude and vulnerability. She points to the extremity of their concealment: even Arjuna, the great archer, must stay hidden in the inner apartments, his power temporarily veiled.