Shloka 5
बृहन्नडाप्रवेशः — Bṛhannadā’s Entry into Virāṭa’s Assembly
सम्प्राप्प राजानममित्रतापनं ततोडब्रवीन्मेघभमहौघनि:स्वन: । वैश्यो5स्मि नाम्नाहमरिष्टनेमि- गोसंख्य आसं कुरुपुड्रवानाम्,शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले राजा विराटके निकट पहुँचकर सहदेव मेघोंकी घनघोर घटाके समान गम्भीर स्वरमें बोले--“महाराज! मैं वैश्य हूँ। मेरा नाम अरिष्टनेमि है। नृपश्रेष्ठ! मैं कुरुवंशशिरोमणि पाण्डवोंके यहाँ गौओंकी गणना तथा देखभाल करता रहा हूँ। अब आपके यहाँ रहना चाहता हूँ; क्योंकि राजाओंमें सिंहके समान पाण्डव कहाँ हैं? यह मैं नहीं जानता। बिना काम किये जीविका चल नहीं सकती और आपके सिवा दूसरा कोई राजा मुझे पसंद नहीं है”
samprāpya rājānam amitra-tāpanaṁ tato ’bravīn megha-bhā mahaugha-niḥsvanaḥ | vaiśyo ’smi nāmnāham ariṣṭanemi-go-saṅkhyā āsam kuru-puṇḍravānām ||
Having reached King Virāṭa, the scorcher of foes, Sahadeva spoke in a deep voice like the rumbling of dense storm-clouds: “O great king, I am a Vaiśya by station; my name is Ariṣṭanemi. O best of rulers, among the Kuru-Pāṇḍavas I used to count and tend the cattle. Now I wish to live in your service. For I do not know any kings equal to the Pāṇḍavas, lions among rulers. Yet one cannot sustain life without work, and besides you no other king pleases me.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma through honest livelihood and appropriate service: one should not live without work, and even in adversity (disguise/exile) one maintains dignity by seeking rightful employment and speaking respectfully to authority.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year, Sahadeva approaches King Virāṭa and, using the assumed identity ‘Ariṣṭanemi,’ requests a position as a cattle-accountant and caretaker, presenting his qualifications and praising the king while concealing his true status.