Shloka 7
द्रौपद्याः सैरन्ध्रीवेषधारणं सुदेष्णासंवादश्च | Draupadī assumes the Sairandhrī guise and dialogues with Sudeshnā
ततो विराट समुपेत्य पाण्डव- स्त्वदीनरूपं वचन महामना: । उवाच सूदो<स्मि नरेन्द्र बलल्लवो भजस्व मां व्यज्जनकारमुत्तमम्,तब महामना पाण्डुनन्दन भीम विराटके अत्यन्त निकट जाकर दीनतारहित वाणीमें बोले--नरेन्द्र! मैं रसोइया हूँ। मेरा नाम बल्लव है। मैं बहुत उत्तम व्यंजन बनाता हूँ। आप मुझे अपने यहाँ इस कार्यके लिये रख लीजिये'
tato virāṭam upetya pāṇḍavas tvadīnarūpaṃ vacanaṃ mahāmanāḥ | uvāca sūdo 'smi narendra ballavo bhajasva māṃ vyañjanakāram uttamam ||
Then the great-souled Pāṇḍava approached King Virāṭa and, speaking without any trace of dejection, said: “O king, I am a cook. My name is Ballava. I prepare excellent dishes. Please employ me here as your finest maker of delicacies.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the mighty may uphold dharma by adopting humble service and disciplined speech; dignity is maintained not by status but by conduct, skill, and self-restraint during adversity.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ year of concealment, Bhīma approaches King Virāṭa, introduces himself under the alias Ballava, and requests employment as an expert cook and preparer of fine dishes.