Shloka 13
द्रौपदी-वरण-प्रत्ययः — Intelligence Reports and the Kaurava Court’s Response
ते नर्दमाना इव कालमेघा: कथा विचित्रा: कथयाम्बभूवु: | न वैश्यशूद्रौोपयिकी: कथास्ता न च द्विजानां कथयन्ति वीरा:,यथा हि लक्ष्यं निहतं धनुश्न सज्यं कृतं तेन तथा प्रसहा | यथा हि भाषन्ति परस्परं ते छन्ना ध्रुवं ते प्रचरन्ति पार्था: जिस प्रकार उन्होंने धनुषपर बलपूर्वक प्रत्यंचा चढ़ायी, जिस तरह दुर्भद्य लक्ष्यको बेध गिराया और जिस प्रकार वे सभी भाई आपसमें बातें करते हैं, उससे यह निश्चय हो जाता है कि कुन्तीके पुत्र ही ब्राह्मणवेषमें छिपे हुए विचर रहे हैं
te nardamānā iva kālameghāḥ kathā vicitrāḥ kathayāmbabhūvuḥ | na vaiśyaśūdrāupayikīḥ kathās tā na ca dvijānāṃ kathayanti vīrāḥ | yathā hi lakṣyaṃ nihataṃ dhanuṣṇaḥ sajyaṃ kṛtaṃ tena tathā prasahā | yathā hi bhāṣanti parasparaṃ te channā dhruvaṃ te pracaranti pārthāḥ ||
“Roaring like thunderclouds, they began to exchange wondrous, many‑hued talk. Their speech was not of the sort used by vaiśyas or śūdras, nor did those heroes speak in the manner of ordinary brahmins. From the way the bow was strung with force, from the way the difficult target was struck down, and from the way they converse among themselves, it is certain: the sons of Kuntī—the Pārthas—are moving about here in disguise.”
धृष्टह्ुम्न उवाच
Educational Q&A
Inner nature reveals itself through conduct: strength, skill, and even patterns of speech can disclose one’s true identity despite outward disguise. The verse also reflects the epic’s awareness of social registers (how different groups are expected to speak) and the ethical idea that deeds are stronger evidence than appearances.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna observes a group moving about in brahmin guise. Noting their thunderous confidence, their refined manner of speech, the force with which they string the bow, and their decisive hitting of a difficult target, he concludes they must be the Pāṇḍavas (sons of Kuntī), concealed and traveling incognito.