Shloka 52
ततो द्वाःस्थ: प्रविश्यैव विराटमिदमब्रवीत् | बृहन्नलासहायकश्न पुत्रो द्वार्युत्तर: स्थित:,तब द्वारपालने भीतर जाकर महाराज विराटसे कहा--'प्रभो! बृहन्नलाके साथ राजकुमार उत्तर द्वारपर खड़े हैं!
tato dvāḥsthaḥ praviśyaiva virāṭam idam abravīt | bṛhannalā-sahāyakaś ca putro dvāry uttaraḥ sthitaḥ ||
Then the palace doorkeeper entered and said to King Virāṭa: “My lord, Prince Uttara is standing at the gate, accompanied by Bṛhannalā.” The report signals an urgent audience request, setting in motion the king’s response to a developing crisis and highlighting the court’s protocol—access to the ruler is mediated, yet necessity can press through formal boundaries.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores disciplined governance and social order: access to power is regulated through roles (the doorkeeper), yet rightful urgency is communicated faithfully. It also supports the ethical theme of acting within one’s station—each person performs their duty to keep the realm functioning during looming danger.
A gatekeeper enters the royal presence and announces that Prince Uttara is waiting at the gate with Bṛhannalā (Arjuna in disguise). This message introduces the next action sequence in which the prince seeks assistance, leading toward the confrontation connected with the Kauravas’ raid and the unfolding of Arjuna’s concealed identity.