Shloka 29
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
यमुपासन्त राजान: सभायामृषिभि: सह । तमुपासीनमप्यान्यं पश्य पाण्डव पाण्डवम्
yam upāsanta rājānaḥ sabhāyām ṛṣibhiḥ saha | tam upāsīnam apy anyaṃ paśya pāṇḍava pāṇḍavam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Behold, O Pāṇḍava—O son of Pāṇḍu! In the royal assembly, together with the sages, many kings once paid reverence to him; yet today that very Pāṇḍava (Yudhiṣṭhira) is seen seated in attendance upon another.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic composure amid adversity: true nobility is shown not only in receiving honor but also in accepting a lower station when duty and circumstance require it. Yudhiṣṭhira’s willingness to serve illustrates humility, self-control, and strategic restraint.
During the Virāṭa episode, the narrator points out a striking contrast: Yudhiṣṭhira—once revered by many kings and even in the presence of sages in royal assemblies—is now living in concealment and is seen attending upon another, reflecting the Pandavas’ disguised life and altered status.