Shloka 3
द्रौपदी-भीमसेनसंवादः
Draupadī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Suffering, Kāla, and Daiva
सूपकारं विराटस्य बल्लवं त्वां विदुर्जना: । प्रेष्यत्वं समनुप्राप्तं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम्
sūpakāraṃ virāṭasya ballavaṃ tvāṃ vidur janāḥ | preṣyatvaṃ samanuprāptaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim ||
قال فَيْشَمْبَايَنَة: «إن الناس يعرفونك في بيت الملك فيرَاطا على أنك الطاهي المسمّى بالّافا. وأنت سيّدٌ بطبعك وبمنزلتك، فإذا بك اليوم قد هويتَ إلى حال الخادم. فأيُّ حزنٍ أعظم من هذا؟»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the pain of social reversal—one who is inherently a lord being forced into servitude—inviting reflection on endurance, dignity, and dharma under adversity, especially during exile and concealment.
In the Virāṭa Parva’s incognito period, the person addressed is known in King Virāṭa’s court as “Ballava,” a cook. Vaiśampāyana underscores the tragic contrast between the person’s true stature and the imposed role of a servant.