The aftermath of Duryodhana’s defeat in the Kurukṣetra war unfolds with moral tension and emotional turmoil. Bhīma’s controversial strike to Duryodhana’s thighs during their duel provokes outrage, especially from Baladeva, who condemns the blow as dishonorable and unworthy of a warrior. His fierce denunciation casts a shadow over the Pandavas’ victory. Krishna intervenes, reminding Baladeva of the injustices inflicted by Duryodhana and Bhīma’s vow to avenge Draupadī’s humiliation—a vow tied to destiny and a sage’s curse. Though Krishna justifies Bhīma’s act as a necessary evil within a greater cosmic plan, Baladeva remains unconvinced and departs, honoring Duryodhana as a noble warrior who attained eternal fame.
Meanwhile, Yudhiṣṭhira is burdened by sorrow and moral conflict. Though he disapproves of Bhīma placing his foot on Duryodhana’s head, he remains silent, reflecting on years of betrayal and suffering. He views their victory as hollow, marred by immense loss and ethical compromise. Bhīma, in contrast, exults in fulfilling his vow and defeating the Kauravas, urging Yudhiṣṭhira to claim the throne. Yet Yudhiṣṭhira, grieving the devastation and haunted by the war's cost, sees only ruin where others see triumph. The passage powerfully captures the clash between righteous vengeance and the grim toll of war, exposing the complex human emotions that linger long after the weapons fall silent.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अधर्मेण हतं दृष्ट्वा राजानं माधवोत्तमः ।
किमब्रवीत् तदा सूत बलदेवो महाबलः ॥ १ ॥
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
adharmeṇa hataṃ dṛṣṭvā rājānaṃ mādhavottamaḥ |
kimabravīt tadā sūta baladevo mahābalaḥ || 1 ||
Dhritarashtra said Seeing the king (Duryodhana) struck down unfairly, O charioteer, what did the mighty Baladeva, foremost among the Mādhavas, say at that moment?
गदायुद्धविशेषज्ञो गदायुद्धविशारदः ।
कृतवान् रौहिणेयो यत् तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय ॥२॥
gadāyuddhaviśeṣajño gadāyuddhaviśāradaḥ |
kṛtavān rauhiṇeyo yat tanmamācakṣva saṃjaya ||2||
O Sañjaya, tell me what Baladeva, the son of Rohini, well-versed in the art of mace combat and deeply acquainted with its principles, did on witnessing this act!
संजय उवाच
शिरस्यभिहतं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन ते सुतम् ।
रामः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठशुक्रोध बलवद्वली ॥ ३ ॥
saṃjaya uvāca
śirasyabhihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena te sutam |
rāmaḥ praharatāṃ śreṣṭhaśukrodha balavadvalī || 3 ||
Sanjaya said Seeing your son struck upon his thighs by Bhīmasena, Rāma, foremost among warriors, possessed of immense strength and power, blazed forth in fierce wrath.
ततो मध्ये नरेन्द्राणामूर्ध्वबाहुर्हलायुधः ।
कुर्वन्नार्तस्वरं घोरं धिग्भीमेत्युवाच ह ॥ ४ ॥
tato madhye narendrāṇāmūrdhvabāhurhalāyudhaḥ |
kurvannārtasvaraṃ ghoraṃ dhigbhīmetyuvāca ha || 4 ||
Then, in the midst of those assembled kings, Baladeva, the wielder of the plow, raising his mighty arms, let out a terrible cry of anguish and denounced Bhīma, saying: ‘Fie upon thee, Bhīma! Fie upon thee!’
अहो धिग् यदधो नाभेः प्रहृतं धर्मविग्रहे ।
नैतद् दृष्टं गदायुद्धे कृतवान् यद् वृकोदरः ॥ ५ ॥
aho dhig yadadho nābheḥ prahṛtaṃ dharmavigrahe |
naitad dṛṣṭaṃ gadāyuddhe kṛtavān yad vṛkodaraḥ || 5 ||
Alas! Fie upon this act! A blow has been struck below the navel in a combat governed by dharma! Never before in the history of mace battles has such an unrighteous act, as done by Vṛkodara, been witnessed!
अधो नाभ्यां न हन्तव्यमिति शास्त्रस्य निश्चयः ।
अयं त्वशास्त्रविन्मूढः स्वच्छन्दात् सम्प्रवर्तते ॥ ६ ॥
adho nābhyāṃ na hantavyamiti śāstrasya niścayaḥ |
ayaṃ tvaśāstravinmūḍhaḥ svacchandāt sampravartate || 6 ||
The sacred texts clearly ordain that no strike should be delivered below the navel. This one, however, ignorant of the codes of battle and blinded by recklessness, has acted arbitrarily!
तस्य तत्तद् ब्रुवाणस्य रोषः समभवन्महान् ।
ततो राजानमालोक्य रोषसंरक्तलोचनः ॥ ७ ॥
बलदेवो महाराज ततो वचनमब्रवीत्।
tasya tattad bruvāṇasya roṣaḥ samabhavanmahān |
tato rājānamālokya roṣasaṃraktalocanaḥ || 7 ||
baladevo mahārāja tato vacanamabravīt|
While he was uttering these words, an immense fury arose within him. His eyes turning red with rage, the mighty Baladeva, casting his gaze upon the fallen king, spoke these words in a voice of thunder.
न चैष पतितः कृष्ण केवलं मत्समोऽसमः ॥ ८ ॥
आश्रित्य तु दौर्बल्यादाश्रयः परिभर्त्स्यते ।
ततो लाङ्गलमुद्यम्य भीममभ्यद्रवद् बली ॥ ९ ॥
na caiṣa patitaḥ kṛṣṇa kevalaṃ matsamo’samaḥ || 8 ||
āśritya tu daurbalyādāśrayaḥ paribhartsyate |
tato lāṅgalamudyamya bhīmamabhyadravad balī || 9 ||
Turning to Kṛṣṇa, he declared: ‘O Kṛṣṇa, this king did not fall merely due to weakness! He was in no way inferior to me in prowess! The disgrace of this act does not rest on him; rather, the dishonor falls upon the one who sought victory through injustice!’
Thus declaring, the mighty Baladeva, his fury unrestrained, lifted his plow-weapon high and rushed towards Bhīma, intent on vengeance!
तस्योर्ध्वबाहोः सदृशं रूपमासीन्महात्मनः ।
बहुधातुविचित्रस्य श्वेतस्येव महागिरेः ॥ १० ॥
तमुत्पतन्तं जग्राह केशवो विनयान्वितः ।
बाहुभ्यां पीनवृत्ताभ्यां प्रयत्नाद् बलवद्बली ॥। ११॥
tasyordhvabāhoḥ sadṛśaṃ rūpamāsīnmahātmanaḥ |
bahudhātuvicitrasya śvetasyeva mahāgireḥ || 10 ||
tamutpatantaṃ jagrāha keśavo vinayānvitaḥ |
bāhubhyāṃ pīnavṛttābhyāṃ prayatnād balavadbalī ||| 11||
As Baladeva raised his mighty arms, he shone like a resplendent mountain streaked with various minerals, white and luminous, appearing as if Mount Kailāsa itself had risen in wrath.
As Baladeva, surging forward in fury, sought to attack Bhīma, the mighty Keśava, ever composed and full of humility, swiftly restrained him. With his strong, well-rounded arms, he seized Baladeva with great effort, holding back his formidable strength.
सितासितौ यदुवरौ शुशुभातेऽधिकं तदा ।
भोगतौ यथा राजंश्चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिनक्षये ॥ १२ ॥
sitāsitau yaduvarau śuśubhāte’dhikaṃ tadā |
bhogatau yathā rājaṃścandrasūryau dinakṣaye || 12 ||
O King! At that moment, the two foremost Yadus—one fair and the other dark—shone magnificently. They appeared like the Sun and the Moon at dusk, their divine contrast enhancing the spectacle of the battlefield.
उवाच चैनं संरब्धं शमयन्निव केशवः ।
आत्मवृद्धिर्मित्रवृद्धिर्मित्रमित्रोदयस्तथा ॥ १३ ॥
विपरीतं द्विषत्स्वेतत् षड्विधा वृद्धिरात्मनः ।
आत्मन्यपि च मित्रे च विपरीतं यदा भवेत् ॥ १४॥
uvāca cainaṃ saṃrabdhaṃ śamayanniva keśavaḥ |
ātmavṛddhirmitravṛddhirmitramitrodayastathā || 13 ||
viparītaṃ dviṣatsvetat ṣaḍvidhā vṛddhirātmanaḥ |
ātmanyapi ca mitre ca viparītaṃ yadā bhavet || 14||
Then Keśava, seeking to pacify the enraged Baladeva, spoke words of wisdom, saying: 'There are six forms of prosperity one should seek: self-growth, the growth of one's allies, the elevation of one's allies' friends, and conversely, the downfall of one's enemies, the ruin of their allies, and the destruction of their allies' friends.
When one's own prosperity and that of one's allies are reversed, it is an omen of impending ruin. In such times, wisdom dictates that one must seek a path of peace and restraint.'
तदा विद्यान्मनोग्लानिमाशु शान्तिकरो भवेत् ।
अस्माकं सहजं मित्रं पाण्डवाः शुद्धपौरुषाः ॥ १५ ॥
tadā vidyānmanoglānimāśu śāntikaro bhavet |
asmākaṃ sahajaṃ mitraṃ pāṇḍavāḥ śuddhapauruṣāḥ || 15 ||
'When hardships afflict either oneself or one’s allies, one must recognize it as a sign and quickly seek a course that brings peace.
Know this, O Baladeva—the Pāṇḍavas are our natural kin. They are pure of heart, and their valor is unmatched.'
स्वका: पितृष्वसुः पुत्रास्ते परैर्निकृता भृशम् ।
प्रतिज्ञापालनं धर्मः क्षत्रियस्येह वेदम्यहम् ॥ १६ ॥
svakā: pitṛṣvasuḥ putrāste parairnikṛtā bhṛśam |
pratijñāpālanaṃ dharmaḥ kṣatriyasyeha vedamyaham || 16 ||
'The sons of our paternal aunt, the noble Pāṇḍavas, have suffered immeasurable wrongs at the hands of their enemies.
For a kṣatriya, the fulfillment of a vow is the highest dharma—I know this to be an unshakable truth.'
सुयोधनस्य गदया भङ्क्तास्म्यूरू महाहवे ।
इति पूर्वं प्रतिज्ञातं भीमेन हि सभातले ॥ १७ ॥
suyodhanasya gadayā bhaṅktāsmyūrū mahāhave |
iti pūrvaṃ pratijñātaṃ bhīmena hi sabhātale || 17 ||
'Bhīma had vowed in the Kuru assembly—'With my mace, I shall shatter Duryodhana’s thighs in a great battle.'
Today, he has merely fulfilled that solemn oath.'
मैत्रैयेणाभिशप्तश्च पूर्वमेव महर्षिणा ।
ऊरू ते भेत्स्यते भीमो गदयेति परंतप ॥ १८ ॥
maitraiyeṇābhiśaptaśca pūrvameva maharṣiṇā |
ūrū te bhetsyate bhīmo gadayeti paraṃtapa || 18 ||
'Moreover, the great sage Maitreya had once cursed Duryodhana, saying—'Bhīma shall crush your thighs with his mace!'
This destiny had long been decreed, O mighty one.'
अतो दोषं न पश्यामि मा क्रुद्ध्यस्व प्रलम्बहन् ।
यौनः स्वैः सुखहार्दैश्च सम्बन्धः सह पाण्डवैः ॥ १९ ॥
ato doṣaṃ na paśyāmi mā kruddhyasva pralambahan |
yaunaḥ svaiḥ sukhahārdaiśca sambandhaḥ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ || 19 ||
'Thus, I see no fault in Bhīma's actions. Do not give in to wrath, O slayer of Pralamba!
Our bonds with the Pāṇḍavas are not merely of kinship, but also of shared joys, affections, and heartfelt camaraderie.'
तेषां वृद्ध्यां हि वृद्धिर्नो मा क्रुधः पुरुषर्षभ ।
वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा सीरभृत् प्राह धर्मवित्॥२०॥
धर्मः सुचरितः सद्भिः स च द्वाभ्यां नियच्छति ।
अर्थात्यर्थलुब्धस्य कामश्चातिप्रसङ्गिणः ॥ २१ ॥
teṣāṃ vṛddhyāṃ hi vṛddhirno mā krudhaḥ puruṣarṣabha |
vāsudevavacaḥ śrutvā sīrabhṛt prāha dharmavit||20||
dharmaḥ sucaritaḥ sadbhiḥ sa ca dvābhyāṃ niyacchati |
arthātyarthalubdhasya kāmaścātiprasaṅgiṇaḥ || 21 ||
'Their prosperity is our prosperity! Let not anger consume you, O foremost among men.'
"Hearing these words of Vāsudeva, the wielder of the plow (Baladeva), who was well-versed in dharma, responded:
'Dharma, when upheld by the virtuous, restrains two things—excessive greed in one overly desirous of wealth and unchecked indulgence in one overtaken by passion.'
धर्मार्थी धर्मकामौ च कामार्थौ चाप्यपीडयन् ।
धर्मार्थकामान् योऽभ्येति सोऽत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ॥ २२॥
dharmārthī dharmakāmau ca kāmārthau cāpyapīḍayan |
dharmārthakāmān yo’bhyeti so’tyantaṃ sukhamaśnute || 22||
One who seeks dharma (righteousness) without obstructing artha (wealth) and kāma (desire), and one who pursues artha and kāma without harming dharma, attains supreme and enduring happiness, having balanced all three—dharma, artha, and kāma—in perfect harmony.
तदिदं व्याकुलं सर्वं कृतं धर्मस्य पीडनात् ।
भीमसेनेन गोविन्द कामं तु यथाऽऽत्थ माम् ॥ २३ ॥
tadidaṃ vyākulaṃ sarvaṃ kṛtaṃ dharmasya pīḍanāt |
bhīmasenena govinda kāmaṃ tu yathā’’ttha mām || 23 ||
But now, this entire balance has been disrupted, for dharma has been transgressed! It is Bhīmasena who has caused this disarray, O Govinda! Despite your words of wisdom, I still remain unconvinced!
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
अरोषणो हि धर्मात्मा सततं धर्मवत्सलः ।
भवान् प्रख्यायते लोके तस्मात् संशाम्य मा क्रुधः ॥२४॥
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca
aroṣaṇo hi dharmātmā satataṃ dharmavatsalaḥ |
bhavān prakhyāyate loke tasmāt saṃśāmya mā krudhaḥ ||24||
Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: 'O mighty one, you are known throughout the world as ever patient, ever righteous, ever devoted to dharma! Therefore, restrain your wrath, O Rāma, and let go of your anger!'
प्राप्तं कलियुगं विद्धि प्रतिज्ञां पाण्डवस्य च ।
आनृण्यं यातु वैरस्य प्रतिज्ञायाश्च पाण्डवः ॥ २५ ॥
prāptaṃ kaliyugaṃ viddhi pratijñāṃ pāṇḍavasya ca |
ānṛṇyaṃ yātu vairasya pratijñāyāśca pāṇḍavaḥ || 25 ||
Know that the age of Kali has now arrived, where dharma begins to wane and deception finds a place. Remember also, O Rāma, the vow made by Bhīma in the assembly! Today, he has merely settled his debt of vengeance and fulfilled his sacred oath!
संजय उवाच
धर्मच्छलमपि श्रुत्वा केशवात् स विशाम्पते ।
नैव प्रीतमना रामो वचनं प्राह संसदि ॥ २६ ॥
हत्वा धर्मेण राजानं धर्मात्मानं सुयोधनम् ।
जियोधीते लोकेऽस्मिन् ख्यातिं यास्यति पाण्डवः ॥ २७ ॥
saṃjaya uvāca
dharmacchalamapi śrutvā keśavāt sa viśāmpate |
naiva prītamanā rāmo vacanaṃ prāha saṃsadi || 26 ||
hatvā dharmeṇa rājānaṃ dharmātmānaṃ suyodhanam |
jiyodhīte loke’smin khyātiṃ yāsyati pāṇḍavaḥ || 27 ||
Sanjaya said 'Hearing Kṛṣṇa's justification, which leaned on an argument of convenience rather than pure dharma, Baladeva, O king, did not find solace. His heart remained discontented, and he spoke these words in the great assembly:
‘Having slain the noble king Suyodhana in a manner that violated the sacred rules of combat, the son of Pāṇḍu will indeed earn fame—but as a warrior who won through cunning rather than honor!’
दुर्योधनोऽपि धर्मात्मा गतिं यास्यति शाश्वतीम् ।
ऋजुयोधी हतो राजा धार्तराष्ट्रो नराधिपः ॥ २८ ॥
duryodhano’pi dharmātmā gatiṃ yāsyati śāśvatīm | ṛjuyodhī hato rājā dhārtarāṣṭro narādhipaḥ || 28 ||
Duryodhana, on the other hand, being a righteous warrior who fought fairly until the very end, shall attain an eternal and exalted state! The slain son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, that great monarch, shall be remembered as an honest and honorable warrior who met his fate in battle!
युद्धदीक्षां प्रविश्याजौ रणयज्ञं वितत्य च ।
हुत्वाऽऽत्मानममित्राग्नौ प्राप चावभृथं यशः ॥ २९ ॥
yuddhadīkṣāṃ praviśyājau raṇayajñaṃ vitatya ca |
hutvā’’tmānamamitrāgnau prāpa cāvabhṛthaṃ yaśaḥ || 29 ||
Having undertaken the initiation rites of war, and having duly performed the great sacrificial rite of battle, Duryodhana—offering himself as an oblation into the fire of his enemies—has now completed his yajña with the ablution of immortal fame!
इत्युक्त्वा रथमास्थाय रौहिणेयः प्रतापवान् ।
श्वेताभ्रशिखराकार: प्रययौ द्वारकां प्रति ॥ ३० ॥
ityuktvā rathamāsthāya rauhiṇeyaḥ pratāpavān |
śvetābhraśikharākāra: prayayau dvārakāṃ prati || 30 ||
Having spoken thus, the mighty Baladeva, whose splendor resembled the white peaks of a celestial mountain, ascended his chariot and departed towards Dvārakā, his heart heavy with indignation.
पञ्चालाश्च सवार्ष्णेयाः पाण्डवाश्च विशाम्पते।
रामे द्वारावती या नातिप्रमनसोऽभवन्॥ ३१ ॥
pañcālāśca savārṣṇeyāḥ pāṇḍavāśca viśāmpate|
rāme dvārāvatī yā nātipramanaso’bhavan|| 31 ||
O King, the Pāñcālas, the Vrṣṇis, and the Pāṇḍavas—all great warriors—felt a shadow of unease as they watched Rāma depart for Dvārakā. His dissatisfaction cast a pall over their hearts.
ततो युधिष्ठिरं दीनं चिन्तापरमधोमुखम्।
शोकोपहतसंकल्पं वासुदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ ३२ ॥
tato yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dīnaṃ cintāparamadhomukham|
śokopahatasaṃkalpaṃ vāsudevo’bravīdidam || 32 ||
Then Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), seeing Yudhiṣṭhira, who was deeply afflicted, his mind weighed down with grief, his gaze cast downward in sorrow, and his very determination shattered, spoke these words to him with compassion and wisdom.
वासुदेव उवाच
धर्मराज किमर्थं त्वमधर्ममनुमन्यसे ।
हतबन्धोर्यदेतस्य पतितस्य विचेतसः ॥ ३३ ॥
दुर्योधनस्य भीमेन मृद्यमानं शिरः पदा ।
उपप्रेक्षसि कस्मात् त्वं धर्मज्ञः सन्नराधिप ।। ३४ ।।
vāsudeva uvāca
dharmarāja kimarthaṃ tvamadharmamanumanyase |
hatabandhoryadetasya patitasya vicetasaḥ || 33 ||
duryodhanasya bhīmena mṛdyamānaṃ śiraḥ padā |
upaprekṣasi kasmāt tvaṃ dharmajñaḥ sannarādhipa || 34 ||
Vāsudeva said 'O Yudhishthira, why do you permit such unrighteousness to occur before your eyes? Why do you, learned in dharma, remain indifferent while Bhīma, with his foot, crushes the head of Duryodhana, who lies fallen, friendless, and insensible on the ground?'
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
न ममैतत् प्रियं कृष्ण यद् राजानं वृकोदरः ।
पदा मूर्ध्यस्पृशत् क्रोधान्न हृष्ये कुलक्षये ॥ ३५॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
na mamaitat priyaṃ kṛṣṇa yad rājānaṃ vṛkodaraḥ |
padā mūrdhyaspṛśat krodhānna hṛṣye kulakṣaye || 35||
Yudhishthira answered 'O Kṛṣṇa, this act of Vṛkodara, placing his foot upon the head of the fallen king out of wrath, does not please me! Neither do I rejoice at the destruction of our entire kinsmen and lineage.'
निकृत्या निकृता नित्यं धृतराष्ट्रसुतैर्वयम्।
बहूनि परुषाण्युक्त्वा वनं प्रस्थापिताः स्म ह ।। ३६ ॥
nikṛtyā nikṛtā nityaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrasutairvayam|
bahūni paruṣāṇyuktvā vanaṃ prasthāpitāḥ sma ha || 36 ||
'For years, we were deceived and wronged by the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra! They heaped countless insults upon us and, speaking harsh words, they banished us to the forest.'
भीमसेनस्य तद् दुःखमतीव हृदि वर्तते ।
इति संचिन्त्य वार्ष्णेय मयैतत् समुपेक्षितम् ॥ ३७ ॥
bhīmasenasya tad duḥkhamatīva hṛdi vartate |
iti saṃcintya vārṣṇeya mayaitat samupekṣitam || 37 ||
'That deep sorrow has always burned in the heart of Bhīmasena. O scion of the Vṛṣṇis, reflecting upon this, I chose to remain silent.'
तस्माद्धत्वाऽकृतप्रज्ञं लुब्धं कामवशानुगम्।
लभतां पाण्डवः कामं धर्मेऽधर्मे च वा कृते ॥ ३८ ॥
tasmāddhatvā’kṛtaprajñaṃ lubdhaṃ kāmavaśānugam|
labhatāṃ pāṇḍavaḥ kāmaṃ dharme’dharme ca vā kṛte || 38 ||
'Thus, having slain Duryodhana—the witless, the greedy, and the one enslaved by desire—let Bhīma reap the fruit of his vengeance, whether it was achieved through dharma or adharma!'
संजय उवाच
इत्युक्ते धर्मराजेन वासुदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम् ।
काममस्त्वेतदिति वै कृच्छ्राद् यदुकुलोद्वहः ॥ ३९ ॥
इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन भीमप्रियहितैषिणा ।
अन्वमोदत तत् सर्वं यद् भीमेन कृतं युधि ॥ ४० ॥
भीमसेनोऽपि हत्वाऽऽजौ तव पुत्रममर्षणः ।
अभिवाद्याग्रतः स्थित्वा सम्प्रहृष्टः कृताञ्जलिः ॥ ४१ ॥
saṃjaya uvāca
ityukte dharmarājena vāsudevo’bravīdidam |
kāmamastvetaditi vai kṛcchrād yadukulodvahaḥ || 39 ||
ityukto vāsudevena bhīmapriyahitaiṣiṇā |
anvamodata tat sarvaṃ yad bhīmena kṛtaṃ yudhi || 40 ||
bhīmaseno’pi hatvā’’jau tava putramamarṣaṇaḥ |
abhivādyāgrataḥ sthitvā samprahṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ || 41 ||
Sanjaya continued Hearing these words of Dharmarāja, Vāsudeva—the upholder of the Yadu race—after great deliberation, finally assented, saying, 'So be it.'
Having been addressed thus by Kṛṣṇa, who ever sought Bhīma’s welfare, Yudhishthira at last gave his silent approval to all that Bhīma had done in battle.
Having slain your son in battle, Bhīmasena, still filled with wrath, yet exultant in victory, stood before Yudhishthira with folded hands and bowed in reverence.
प्रोवाच सुमहातेजा धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् ।
हर्षादुत्फुल्लनयनो जितकाशी विशाम्पते ॥ ४२ ॥
तवाद्य पृथिवी सर्वा क्षेमा निहतकण्टका।
तां प्रशाधि महाराज स्वधर्ममनुपालय ॥ ४३ ॥
provāca sumahātejā dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram |
harṣādutphullanayano jitakāśī viśāmpate || 42 ||
tavādya pṛthivī sarvā kṣemā nihatakaṇṭakā|
tāṃ praśādhi mahārāja svadharmamanupālaya || 43 ||
Then that mighty warrior, his eyes wide with joy and victory flashing upon his face, addressed Yudhishthira, O ruler of the earth, in a voice brimming with triumph.
'O King, today the Earth stands secure and untroubled, her thorns uprooted, her enemies laid low. Now, O mighty ruler, govern her with righteousness and uphold your sacred dharma!'
यस्तु कर्ताऽस्य वैरस्य निकृत्या निकृतिप्रियः ।
सोऽयं विनिहतः शेते पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते ॥ ४४ ॥
yastu kartā’sya vairasya nikṛtyā nikṛtipriyaḥ |
so’yaṃ vinihataḥ śete pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpate || 44 ||
He who was the root of these hostilities, who delighted in treachery and wove deceit upon deceit, that wretched being now lies slain upon the bare earth, O Lord of the world!
दुःशासनप्रभृतयः सर्वे ते चोग्रवादिनः ।
राधेयः शकुनिश्चैव हताश्च तव शत्रवः ॥ ४५ ॥
duḥśāsanaprabhṛtayaḥ sarve te cogravādinaḥ |
rādheyaḥ śakuniścaiva hatāśca tava śatravaḥ || 45 ||
All those wicked ones, led by Duḥśāsana, who hurled cruel words at us, as well as Karṇa, the son of Rādha, and the deceitful Śakuni—your most formidable foes—have all been vanquished and slain!
सेयं रत्नसमाकीर्णा मही सवनपर्वता ।
उपावृत्ता महाराज त्वामद्य निहतद्विषम् ॥ ४६ ॥
seyaṃ ratnasamākīrṇā mahī savanaparvatā |
upāvṛttā mahārāja tvāmadya nihatadviṣam || 46 ||
The Earth, adorned with her mountains and forests and filled with boundless treasures, now returns to you, O mighty king, for you stand today without an enemy left alive!
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
तो वैरस्य निधनं हतो राजा सुयोधनः ।
कृष्णस्य मतमास्थाय विजितेयं वसुन्धरा ॥ ४७ ॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
to vairasya nidhanaṃ hato rājā suyodhanaḥ |
kṛṣṇasya matamāsthāya vijiteyaṃ vasundharā || 47 ||
Yudhishthira said 'The hostilities have ended! King Suyodhana lies slain! The Earth has been conquered and restored to us, following the counsel of Krishna.'
दिष्ट्या गतस्त्वमानृण्यं मातुः कोपस्य चोभयोः ।
दिष्ट्या जयति दुर्धर्ष दिष्ट्या, शत्रुर्निपातितः ॥ ४८ ॥
diṣṭyā gatastvamānṛṇyaṃ mātuḥ kopasya cobhayoḥ |
diṣṭyā jayati durdharṣa diṣṭyā, śatrurnipātitaḥ || 48 ||
By fortune’s grace, you have paid your debt—both to your mother’s wrath and to your own vow! By destiny’s favor, you stand victorious, O unconquerable one! And by fate’s justice, your enemy has been struck down!
The text captures the dramatic and morally charged aftermath of Duryodhana’s defeat in the Kurukshetra war. Bhima’s controversial act of striking Duryodhana on the thighs during their mace duel sparks outrage and sets off a chain of emotional and ethical confrontations among key characters.
Baladeva (Balarama), the elder brother of Krishna and a master of mace combat, is appalled at Bhima's breach of the rules of warfare. He condemns the act as a disgraceful violation of fair combat, declaring that such a blow—delivered below the navel—is unworthy of a warrior. With anger blazing in his eyes, Baladeva denounces Bhima as an ignorant wretch and laments the dishonor brought upon the duel. His words echo across the battlefield, adding to the moment's tension.
Krishna, ever calm and persuasive, steps in to pacify Baladeva. He justifies Bhima’s actions by recalling the terrible injustices endured by the Pandavas—Duryodhana’s humiliation of Draupadi, the deceitful dice game, and the years of exile. Krishna reminds Baladeva of Bhima’s solemn vow to break Duryodhana’s thighs as vengeance for Draupadi’s insult, a vow sanctioned by fate and the curse of the sage Maitreya. He argues that Bhima’s actions, though brutal, are part of the greater cosmic design. Despite Krishna’s eloquent reasoning, Baladeva remains unconvinced. Declaring Duryodhana a noble warrior who has achieved eternal glory through his sacrificial death, Baladeva departs for Dwaraka, leaving the Pandavas and their allies disheartened.
Amid this turmoil, Yudhishthira is overcome by conflicting emotions. The eldest Pandava is deeply troubled by the moral implications of Bhima's actions and the devastation wrought by the war. Although he disapproves of Bhima's act of striking Duryodhana's head with his foot, Yudhishthira rationalizes his silence by recalling the years of oppression and betrayal his family endured at the hands of Duryodhana. His heart, however, remains heavy with grief for the annihilation of his kin and the Pyrrhic nature of their victory. He acknowledges the tragedy of the situation—that the Pandavas, though victorious, are left as miserable survivors amidst a wasteland of destruction.
Bhima, on the other hand, is unrepentant and exultant. Standing tall, with joy and pride radiating from him, he declares that the Earth has been freed of all “thorns”—their enemies have been vanquished, and the kingdom now belongs to Yudhishthira. Bhima revels in having fulfilled his vow and avenged the wrongs inflicted on their family, urging his elder brother to take up the mantle of rulership.
Though outwardly acknowledging Bhima's achievement, Yudhishthira remains haunted by the heavy cost of their triumph. He mourns the loss of countless loved ones and the moral compromises made in their quest for justice. While Bhima celebrates the end of hostilities, Yudhishthira sees only the grim reality of war—where victory feels as hollow as defeat, and the survivors are left to carry the burden of loss and guilt.
Through this vivid tapestry of clashing emotions—rage, grief, pride, and despair—the text paints a poignant picture of the aftermath of war. It portrays not only the fulfillment of vows and the settling of debts but also the tragic cost of revenge and the complex interplay of morality, fate, and human frailty.