Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 33 — Kuru Cattle-Raid and Matsya Mobilization (भूमिंजय-प्रेरणा)
पातिता भीमसेनेन विराटस्य समीपत: । पत्तयो निहतास्तेषां गदां गृह्म महात्मना
vaiśampāyana uvāca | pātitā bhīmasenena virāṭasya samīpataḥ | pattayo nihatās teṣāṃ gadāṃ gṛhya mahātmanā ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: Gần vua Virāṭa, chúng bị Bhīmasena đánh quật; bộ binh của chúng cũng bị giết. Vị anh hùng đại hồn ấy cầm chùy, quét ngã quân địch quanh Virāṭa để che chở nhà vua.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames Bhīma’s violence within kṣatriya-dharma: force is employed not for cruelty but to protect the threatened king and restore order in a wartime emergency. Ethical emphasis lies on rightful intent (rakṣaṇa/protection) and disciplined action in one’s duty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma, near King Virāṭa, seizes his mace and strikes down the enemy troops—especially the infantry—clearing the battlefield around Virāṭa and safeguarding him amid the clash.