Shloka 19
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
यदा सर्वे विमनसस्ते मल्ला हतचेतस: । अथ सूदेन तं मल्ल॑ योधयामास मत्स्यराट्,जब वे सभी मल्ल उदासीन हो हिम्मत हार बैठे, तब मत्स्यनरेशने अपने रसोइयेसे उस पहलवानको लड़ानेका निश्चय किया
yadā sarve vimanās te mallā hata-cetasaḥ | atha sūdena taṃ mallaṃ yodhayāmāsa matsya-rāṭ |
Cuando todos los luchadores quedaron desanimados y sin aliento, el rey de los Matsyas resolvió hacer que aquel luchador fuese enfrentado por su propio cocinero, disponiendo así un nuevo retador cuando los demás ya habían desistido.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When morale collapses, leadership is tested: the king must act decisively and find a capable means to restore confidence and order. The verse highlights the ethical dimension of kingship—responding to public crisis with resolve rather than passivity.
The wrestlers have become dejected and unwilling to continue. King Virāṭa of Matsya therefore decides to pit the opponent against his cook—who, in the Virāṭa narrative context, is Bhīma in disguise—so that the contest can continue with a stronger challenger.