शिशुपाल-वध पर्व — भीम का क्रोध

Shishupala said The greatly powerful king Jarasandha, who did not desire to fight with Krishna, saying that he was but a “servant”, was (surely) worthy of my greatest esteem.

Who will consider praiseworthy the act of killing Jarasandha which was done by Keshava (Krishna), as also by Bhima and Arjuna?

Entering (the city) by a way which was not the (public) gate, and disguised as a Vedaknowing (Brahmana), this Krishna saw the prowess of king Jarasandha.

When that illustrious king offered this wretch water to wash his feet, it was then he said from seeming motives of virtue that he was not a Brahmana.

O descendant of Kuru, when Bhima, Dhananjaya and Krishna were asked by Jarasandha to eat, that request was refused by this Krishna.

If this one (Krishna) is the lord of the universe, as this fool thinks himself to be, why does he not then consider himself a Brahmana?

It is greatly surprising that though you often lead the Pandavas away from the path of the pious, yet they consider you (Bhima) to be honest.

Odescendant of Bharata (Bhishma), there is nothing to be surprising (perhaps) in those who have got you, who is no better than a woman and who is old, to be their counsellor in all things.

Vaishampayana said Hearing his these harsh words-harsh both in import and sound, that foremost of all strong men, the powerful Bhimasena, became angry.

Under the influence of anger, his lotus-like eyes, naturally large and expanding, became still more extended, and also as red as the copper.

The assembled kings saw on his forehead three lines of wrinkles like the Ganges with her three currents on the three peaked mountain.

When he began to grind his teeth in anger, the kings saw his face resemble like that of the Death preparing to swallow every creature at the end of the Yuga.

As the strong-minded (hero) was about to jump up with great impetuosity, the mighty armed Bhishma caught him (by the hand), as if Mahadeva seized Mahasena.

O descendant of Bharata, Bhima's anger was soon appeased by Bhishma with various words of sound counsels.

That chastiser of foes could not disobey Bhishma's words, as the ocean never goes beyond its shore, though swollen with the waters of the rainy season.

O king, though Bhima was angry, the heroic Shishupala, depending on his own valour, did not tremble in fear.

Though Bhima every moment jumping up (from his seat) with great impetuosity, yet Shishupala did not bestow a single thought on him, as a lion does not mind a small animal who leaps up in rage.

Seeing Bhima of terrible prowess in such great rage, the mighty kings of Chedi laughingly spoke thus. was

"O Bhishma, release his. Let all these kings see him burnt down by my prowess like an insect by fire".

Having heard these words of the king of the Chedis, that foremost of the Kurus, that best of all intelligent men, Bhishma thus spoke to Bhima.