01.150
Core:Conversation between Kunti and Yudhishthira on dharma.
Vaishampayana said:
Bhima vowed to do this, O Bharata. Then, all the Pandavas came, taking the food from there.
Having known him by his form, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, sat down secretly and then asked the mother.
What action does this Bhima, of great strength, wish to do? Does he wish to do it, perhaps, with your consent?
Kunti said:
By my own words, the scorcher of enemies will do this great deed, for the Brahman’s cause and for the liberation of the city.
Yudhishthira said:
What is this audacious, sharp action? The righteous do not approve of the abandonment of a son.
How can you wish to abandon your own son for the sake of another’s son? This is contrary to worldly behavior, and you have done this by abandoning your son.
By depending on whose arms, we all find happiness and sleep. But the kingdom, taken by the small ones, we wish to take back again.
Thinking of the strength of Duryodhana, whose energy is immense, he does not sleep in his residence, along with the sparrow of misery.
By the strength of the hero, he freed from the twin ancestral homes, and also killed by others who had committed sins, the preceptor.
By depending on the strength of the hero, we consider the earth full, obtained after killing the sons of Dhritarashtra.
Having resolved to renounce, having taken wisdom, who has disturbed your mind with sorrow and lost consciousness?
Kunti said:
Yudhishthira, there is no sorrow to be caused to Bhima. Nor has this determination been made by me out of weakness of mind.
Here, we, the son, have found happiness in the house of the Brahman. His response, O father, was considered by me. Indeed, the work of the man who does not destroy is this much.
Having seen Bhishma’s heroism in the great ancestral home, and indeed my faith in Bhima after the killing of Hidimba.
Indeed, the strength of Bhima’s arms is like that of a thousand elephants, by which you, unscattered, march like elephants.
The strength of Bhima is unmatched; neither has anyone been, nor will anyone be, like him. Who, in battle, surpasses even the wielder of the thunderbolt himself?
As soon as he was born, he fell from my arms onto the mountain. Due to the heaviness of his body, the stone was shattered by his limbs.
Then, remembering with wisdom the strength of Bhima, the son of Pandu, I made the decision to respond to the Brahman.
This decision was not made out of greed, ignorance, or delusion. It was made with wisdom, for righteousness.
Both wealth and righteousness will be accomplished, and the response of Vasu and the conduct of righteousness will be great.
Whoever helps a Brahman in his needs, the Kshatriya will attain auspicious worlds, as I have heard.
The Kshatriya, by performing the killing and liberation of others, attains vast fame, both in this world and in the next.
Indeed, the Kshatriya, by aiding the Vaishya in battle, pleases all people in the worlds, undoubtedly.
The king, indeed, liberates the Shudra who comes seeking refuge, and attains a noble birth in the family, honored by the king.
Thus, the blessed Vyasa, the son of Kuru, said in greater detail, "Therefore, this was intended."
Yudhishthira said:
This is indeed fitting, O mother, done out of compassion for the suffering Brahman, with wisdom. Surely, Bhima will go, having killed the enemy of men.
As city-dwellers should not find this, so this Brahman should be carefully spoken to and accepted.
