BHIMASENA WAS PACIFIED

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 71 - BHIMASENA WAS PACIFIED

“Karna said, ‘We have never heard of such an act (as this one of Draupadi), performed by any of the women noted in this world for their beauty. When the sons of both Paandu and Dhritarashtra were excited with anger, this Draupadi became to the Paandavaas as their salvation. Indeed, Paanchaali becoming as a boat to the sons of Paandu who were sinking in a boatless ocean of distress, has brought them in safety to the shore.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Hearing these words of Karna in the middle of the Kurus – that the sons of Paandu were saved by their wife – the angry Bhimasena in great pain said (to Arjuna), ‘O Dhananjaya, it has been said by Devala three lights (Jyoti in Sanskrit) reside in every person – offspring, acts and learning, (Apatyam, Karma, Vidhya in Sanskrit) for from these three has sprung creation (Srushta in Sanskrit). When life becomes extinct and the body becomes impure and is cast off by relatives, these three become of service to every person. But the light that is in us has been dimmed by this act of insult to our wife. How, O Arjuna, can a son born from this insulted wife of ours prove serviceable to us?’

“Arjuna replied, ‘Superior persons, O Bharata (Bhimasena), never talk about the harsh words that may or may not be uttered by inferior men. Persons that have earned respect for themselves, even if they are able to retaliate, do not remember the acts of hostility done by their enemies, but, on the other hand, treasure up only their good deeds.’

“Bhima said, ‘Shall I, O king (Yudhishthira), slay, without loss of time all these enemies assembled together, here, or shall I destroy them, O Bharata (Yudhishthira), by the roots, outside this palace? Or, what need is there of words or of command? I shall slay all these now, and you rule the whole earth, O king (Yudhishthira), without a rival.’

“Saying this, Bhima with his younger brothers, like a lion in the middle of a herd of deers, repeatedly gave his angry glances around. But Arjuna, however, of pure deeds, with appealing looks began to calm his elder brother (Bhimasena). The mighty-armed hero (Veera in Sanskrit) filled with great prowess began to burn with the fire of his anger. O king (Janamejaya), this fire began to issue out of Vrikodara’s ears and other senses with smoke and sparks and flames. His face became terrible to look in consequence of his furrowed (eye) brows like those of Yama himself at the time of the universal destruction (Yugaanta Kaala in Sanskrit). Then Yudhishthira prevented the mighty hero, embracing him with his arms and telling him ‘Be not so. Stay in silence and peace.’ Having pacified the mighty-armed one with eyes red in anger (Bhimasena), the king (Yudhishthira) approached his uncle Dhritarashtra, with hands joined in entreaty (Anjali in Sanskrit).’”