Shloka 20
पाण्डवपरिचयः—विराटसभायां प्रकाशनम्
Identification of the Pāṇḍavas in Virāṭa’s Court
अयं कथं वै भवतो विमुक्त- स्तथा प्रमथ्नीत यथा न मुच्येत् । तमब्रवीच्छान्तनव: प्रहस्य क्व ते गता बुद्धिरभूत् क्व वीर्यम्
ayaṃ kathaṃ vai bhavato vimuktaḥ tathā pramathnīta yathā na mucyet | tam abravīc chāntanavaḥ prahasya kva te gatā buddhir abhūt kva vīryam ||
“怎么会这样？”他说，“此人既已被你放走，竟又被如此猛烈地制服，以至无法逃脱？”于是，商檀努之子笑着答道：“你的判断到哪里去了？你的勇武又到哪里去了？”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts buddhi (discernment) and vīrya (valor), implying that effective action—especially in a martial or duty-bound context—requires both clear judgment and steadfast courage; losing either invites failure and reproach.
A question is raised about how someone previously released was again overpowered so thoroughly that he could not escape. In response, Śāntanava (Bhīṣma) laughs and sharply rebukes the addressee, challenging the loss of judgment and heroic strength.