Shloka 12
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
एवं सम्पादयन्तस्ते तदान्योन्यं महारथा: । विराटनगरे चेरु: पुनर्गर्भधृता इव,इस प्रकार एक-दूसरेका सहयोग करते हुए वे महारथी पाण्डव विराटनगरमें बहुत छिपकर रहते थे; मानो पुनः माताके गर्भमें निवास कर रहे हों
evaṁ sampādayantas te tadānyonyaṁ mahārathāḥ | virāṭanagare ceruḥ punar garbhadhṛtā iva ||
Thus, by mutually supporting one another and setting their affairs in order among themselves, those great chariot-warriors (the Pāṇḍavas) moved about within the city of Virāṭa in deep concealment—like beings dwelling once again in a mother’s womb.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power guided by dharma may require restraint: the Pāṇḍavas preserve their vow and future justice by cooperating, planning carefully, and remaining hidden rather than seeking immediate confrontation.
During their incognito year, the Pāṇḍavas live in Virāṭa’s city with extreme caution, coordinating among themselves so their identities remain undiscovered—likened to being safely enclosed in a womb.