Shloka 8
Ballava (Bhīma) Seeks Employment as Royal Cook in Virāṭa’s Court
वितर्कयन्तं तु नरर्षभस्तथा युधिष्ठिरो$भ्येत्य विराटमब्रवीत् । सम्राड्विजानात्विह जीवनार्थिन विनष्टसर्वस्वमुपागतं द्विजम्,इस प्रकार तर्क-वितर्कमें पड़े हुए राजा विराटके पास आकर नरश्रेष्ठ युधिष्ठिरने कहा --“महाराज! आपको विदित हो; मैं एक ब्राह्मण हूँ, मेरा सर्वस्व नष्ट हो गया है; अतः मैं आपके यहाँ जीवननिर्वाहके लिये आया हूँ
vitarkayantaṃ tu nararṣabhas tathā yudhiṣṭhiro 'bhyetya virāṭam abravīt | samrāḍ vijānātviha jīvanārthin vinaṣṭasarvasvam upāgataṃ dvijam ||
Al ver al rey Virāṭa absorto en cavilaciones inquietas, Yudhiṣṭhira, el mejor de los hombres, se acercó y dijo: «Oh soberano, sabed esto: soy un brāhmaṇa que lo ha perdido todo. Buscando tan solo el sustento, he venido a vos.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in adversity: one may seek protection and livelihood through humble, truthful-sounding self-presentation, approaching rightful authority without aggression. It also reflects the ethical tension of concealment during exile—survival and duty balanced through restraint and respectful speech.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay, Yudhiṣṭhira approaches King Virāṭa, who is preoccupied with deliberation, and introduces himself as a brāhmaṇa who has lost everything and has come seeking sustenance and shelter.