Shloka 9
Role-Allocation in Virāṭa’s Court: Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadī’s Concealment
तन्तिपाल इति ख्यातो नाम्नाहं विदितस्त्वथ । निपुणं च चरिष्यामि व्येतु ते मानसो ज्वर:,मैं वहाँ तन्तिपाल नामसे प्रसिद्ध होऊँगा। इसी नामसे मुझे सब लोग जानेंगे। मैं बड़ी चतुराईसे अपनेको छिपाये रखकर वहाँ सब ओर विचरूँगा; अतः मेरे विषयमें आपकी मानसिक चिन्ता दूर हो जानी चाहिये
tantipāla iti khyāto nāmnāhaṃ viditastvatha | nipuṇaṃ ca cariṣyāmi vyetu te mānaso jvaraḥ ||
Sahadeva said: “I shall be known by the name Tantipāla; by that name everyone will recognize me there. I will move about skillfully, keeping my true identity concealed—so let the fever of anxiety in your mind be dispelled regarding me.”
सहदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent self-restraint and strategic conduct in service of dharma: one may adopt concealment and careful behavior to protect a righteous mission, while also reassuring companions and reducing needless anxiety.
During the Pandavas’ incognito year, Sahadeva declares the assumed name by which he will be known—Tantipāla—and promises to act with skill so that his true identity remains hidden, asking that the others’ mental worry about him be set aside.