Shloka 11
Ballava (Bhīma) Seeks Employment as Royal Cook in Virāṭa’s Court
गोत्र च नामापि च शंस तत्त्वतः कि चापि शिल्पं तव विद्यते कृतम्,“अपने गोत्र और नाम भी ठीक-ठीक बताइये। साथ ही यह भी कहें कि आपने किस विद्या या कलामें कुशलता प्राप्त की है
gotraṃ ca nāmāpi ca śaṃsa tattvataḥ kiṃ cāpi śilpaṃ tava vidyate kṛtam
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „Nenne wahrheitsgemäß deine Abstammung (Gotra) und deinen Namen; und sage auch, welches Handwerk oder welche Kunstfertigkeit du gemeistert hast.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic expectations of truthful identity and accountable competence: one should be honest about who one is and what one can do, especially when seeking employment or protection.
In the Virāṭa episode, a newcomer is being questioned for credentials—lineage, name, and professional skill—before being admitted or assigned a role, reflecting the court’s need to assess trustworthiness and utility.