Shloka 28
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
प्रताप्य पृथिवीं सर्वा रश्मिमानिव तेजसा । सो<थयं राज्ञो विराटस्य सभास्तारो युधिष्ठिर:
pratāpya pṛthivīṁ sarvāṁ raśmimān iva tejasā | so ’thāyaṁ rājño virāṭasya sabhāstaro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Having illumined the whole earth with his splendor, like the radiant sun with its rays, this very Yudhiṣṭhira—Dharma’s king—has now become merely a member of King Virāṭa’s court.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Greatness grounded in dharma does not depend on public rank. Even a world-illuminating king can accept a lowly court role when duty and circumstance require, showing self-mastery, humility, and commitment to righteous conduct.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s kingdom, Yudhiṣṭhira—renowned like the sun for his royal radiance—lives concealed and serves in Virāṭa’s assembly as an ordinary court member, masking his true identity.