Shloka 21
भীমेन युधिष्ठिरस्य त्यागवृत्तेः प्रतिषेधः
Bhīma’s Rebuttal of Yudhiṣṭhira’s Renunciatory Inclination
शक््यं तु मौनमास्थाय बिशभ्रता55त्मानमात्मना । धर्मच्छञ्म समास्थाय च्यवितुं न तु जीवितुम्
śakyaṃ tu maunam āsthāya bibhratātmānam ātmanā | dharmacchannaṃ samāsthāya cyavituṃ na tu jīvitum ||
毗摩说道：“人固然可以持默不语，凭自身之力维持生计；但若所依的‘法’只是伪装的外衣，充其量不过是背离真实的职责——并不能因此真正地活着，也不能使生命成其为生命。”
भीम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhima warns that outward renunciation—such as adopting silence—can become a mask for avoiding one’s rightful responsibilities. When ‘dharma’ is used as a cover for comfort or self-preservation, it leads to deviation from true duty rather than a meaningful life.
In the Shanti Parva’s ethical discussions, Bhima speaks forcefully against escapist asceticism. He argues that merely sustaining oneself while posing as a silent holy man does not fulfill dharma; it risks abandoning one’s obligations under the guise of righteousness.