WRATH OF BHIMASENA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > SHISHUPAALA VADHA PARVA > CHAPTER 40 - WRATH OF BHIMASENA

“Shishupaala said, ‘That mighty king Jaraasandha who desired not to fight with (Sri) Krishna, saying ‘He is a slave,’ was worthy of my greatest esteem. Who will regard as praiseworthy the act which was done by Keshava (Sri Krishna) and also by Bhima and Arjuna, in the matter of Jaraasandha’s death? Entering by an improper gate, disguised as a Brahmana, thus (Sri) Krishna observed the strength of king Jarasandha. When that monarch (Jaraasandha) offered at first to this wretch (Sri Krishna) water to wash His feet, it was then that He denied His Brahmanahood from seeming motives of Dharma. When Jaraasandha, O you of the Kuru race (Bhishma), asked (Sri) Krishna, Bhima and Dhananjaya (Arjuna) to eat, it was this (Sri) Krishna that refused that monarch’s request. If this one is the lord of the universe, as this fool (Sri Krishna) represents Him to be, why does He not regard Himself as a Brahmana? This, however, surprises me greatly that though you lead the Paandavaas away from the path of the wise, they yet regard you as honest. Or, perhaps, this is scarcely a matter of surprise in respect of those that have you, O Bharata (Bhishma), female in character and bent down with age, for their counsellor in everything.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Shishupaala, harsh both in meaning and sound, that foremost of mighty men, Bhimasena filled with energy became angry. His eyes, naturally large and expanding and like to lotus leaves became still more extended and red as copper under the influence of that anger. The assembled monarchs saw on his (Bhima’s) forehead three lines of wrinkles like the (river) Ganga of treble currents on the triple-peaked mountain. When Bhimasena began to grind his teeth in anger, the monarchs saw his face resembling that of Death himself, at the end of the Yuga, prepared to swallow every creature. As the hero (Bhima) filled with great energy of mind was about to leap up rashly, the mighty-armed Bhishma caught him like Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) catching Mahasena (Lord Murugan – Deva Senaapati). O Bharata (Janamejaya), Bhima’s anger was soon appeased by Bhishma, the Pitaamaha of the Kurus, with various kinds of counsel. Bhima, that punisher of enemies, could not disobey Bhishma’s words, like the ocean that never crosses (even when swollen with the waters of the rainy season) its continents. But, O king (Janamejaya), even though Bhima was angry, the brave Shishupaala depending on his own manhood, did not tremble in fear. Though Bhima was leaping up rashly every moment, Shishupaala gace not a single thought on him, like a lion that recks not a little animal in anger. The powerful king of Chedi (Shishupaala), seeing Bhima of terrible prowess in such anger, laughingly said, ‘Release him, O Bhishma! Let all the monarchs see him scorched by my prowess like an insect in fire.’ Hearing these words of the ruler of the Chedis (Shishupaala), Bhishma, that foremost of the Kurus and chief of all intelligent men, spoke to Bhima these words.’”