Mahabharata 4.13.2 — Virata Parva, Adhyaya 13, Shloka 2
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवं मत्स्यस्य नगरे प्रच्छन्ना: कुरुनन्दना: । आराधयन्तो राजानं यदकुर्वत तच्छुणु
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: evaṁ Matsyasya nagare pracchannāḥ Kurunandanāḥ | ārādhayanto rājānaṁ yad akurvata tac chṛṇu ||
বৈশম্পায়ন বললেন—রাজন! এইভাবে মৎস্যরাজ্যের নগরে গোপনে অবস্থান করে কুরু-নন্দন পাণ্ডবেরা রাজাকে সন্তুষ্ট করে যে যে কর্ম করেছিল, তা শোনো।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma through disciplined concealment and respectful service: even while hiding their identity, the Pāṇḍavas uphold proper conduct by honoring the host-king and fulfilling duties without arrogance or disruption.
Vaiśampāyana transitions into describing the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay in the Matsya capital during the final year of exile, announcing that he will recount the actions they performed while serving King Virāṭa.
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