Shloka 20

द्रौपदी-भीमसेनसंवादः

Draupadī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Suffering, Kāla, and Daiva

Devanagari script

त॑ वेणीकृतकेशान्तं भीमधन्वानमर्जुनम्‌ कन्यापरिवृतं दृष्टवा भीम सीदति मे मन:

Transliteration

taṁ veṇīkṛtakeśāntaṁ bhīmadhanvānām arjunam kanyāparivṛtaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīma sīdati me manaḥ

Translation

Vaiśampāyana nói: Thấy Arjuna—mạnh mẽ như Bhīma về sức lực và việc cầm binh khí—mái tóc được gom và chải theo kiểu nữ, lại bị các thiếu nữ vây quanh, lòng Bhīma chùng xuống. Cảnh một chiến sĩ vĩ đại phải sống trong lớp cải trang khơi dậy nỗi buồn và sự bất an đạo lý, cho thấy cái giá của lưu đày và sức ép đè lên phẩm giá, dẫu dharma đòi hỏi phải nhẫn nhịn.

Word by Word

• तत्: that (sight/thing)
• तत्: Karma
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: neuter, accusative, singular

• वेणीकृतकेशान्तम्: whose hair-ends are made into a braid
• वेणीकृतकेशान्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वेणीकृतकेशान्त
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• भीमधन्वानम्: Arjuna of terrible bow
• भीमधन्वानम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीमधन्वन्
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• अर्जुनम्: Arjuna
• अर्जुनम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अर्जुन
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• कन्यापरिवृतम्: surrounded by maidens
• कन्यापरिवृतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कन्यापरिवृत
• Form: masculine, accusative, singular

• दृष्ट्वा: having seen
• Type: Verb
• Root: दृश्
• Form: absolutive (क्त्वा)

• भीमः: Bhima
• भीमः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भीम
• Form: masculine, nominative, singular

• सीदति: sinks/desponds
• Type: Verb
• Root: सद्
• Form: present, third, singular

• मे: my
• मे: Adhikarana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: genitive, singular

• मनः: mind
• मनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनस्
• Form: neuter, nominative, singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Arjuna
• Bhīma
• kanyāḥ (maidens/young girls)
• veṇī (braid/plait)
• dhanus (bow)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even when one’s true power and status are intact, dharma may demand concealment and patience. The verse highlights the ethical tension between personal honor and disciplined restraint undertaken for a righteous objective, and it acknowledges the emotional cost borne by loved ones who witness that sacrifice.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the Pandavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s kingdom, Arjuna lives in disguise (as a dance/music teacher among women). Bhīma sees him with hair dressed in a braid and surrounded by maidens, and Bhīma becomes inwardly distressed at the humiliating appearance forced by their circumstances.