Shloka 19
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
यानि यानि च कर्माणि तस्य वक्ष्यामहे वयम् । आसाद्य मत्स्यं तत् कर्म प्रब्रूत कुरुनन्दना:,किंतु कुरुनन्दनो! तुमलोग यह तो बताओ कि हम मत्स्यराजके पास पहुँचकर किन- किन कार्योंका भार सँभाल सकेंगे?
yāni yāni ca karmāṇi tasya vakṣyāmahe vayam | āsādya matsyaṁ tat karma prabrūta kurunandanāḥ ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Whatever tasks there are, we shall undertake them. But when we reach the land of Matsya, tell us, O descendants of Kuru, what duties and roles we can assume there.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as practical responsibility: even in exile and concealment, one must choose appropriate duties and roles with foresight, coordinating actions to protect the larger ethical aim (survival without violating the terms of exile).
At the start of Virāṭa Parva, the Pāṇḍavas are preparing for their year of incognito living. Yudhiṣṭhira asks his brothers to clarify what kinds of work and positions they can take up after reaching the Matsya realm, so they can remain hidden and secure.