Shloka 21
सहदेवस्य गोसंख्य-तन्तिपाल-रूपेण विराट-समागमः | Sahadeva’s Audience with Virāṭa as Cattle-Enumerator
Tantipāla
वासांसि यावन्ति लभे तावत् तावद् रमे तथा । मालिनीत्येव मे नाम स्वयं देवी चकार सा । साहमपद्यागता देवि सुदेष्णे त्वन्निवेशनम्,मैं भिन्न-भिन्न स्थानोंमें सेवा करके उत्तम भोजन पाती हुई विचरती हूँ। मुझे जितने वस्त्र मिल जाते हैं, उतनोंमें ही मैं प्रसन्न रहती हूँ। स्वयं देवी द्रौपदीने मेरा नाम 'मालिनी” रख दिया था। देवि सुदेष्णे! आज वही मैं सैरन्ध्री आपके महलमें आयी हूँ
vāsāṃsi yāvanti labhe tāvat tāvad rame tathā | mālinīty eva me nāma svayaṃ devī cakāra sā | sāham apadyāgatā devi sudeṣṇe tvanniveśanam |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Me contento con las prendas que consigo, y con esa medida me regocijo. La noble señora Draupadī misma me dio el nombre de “Mālinī”. Ahora, oh reina Sudeṣṇā, he llegado a tu morada como una mujer afligida que busca amparo, dispuesta a servir en diversos lugares y a vivir del buen alimento ganado con servicio honrado.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights contentment and dignity in hardship: one should remain satisfied with minimal possessions, seek livelihood through honest service, and approach refuge with humility rather than entitlement—an ethical posture aligned with dharma even under distress.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay, Draupadī (speaking through the narrative frame) presents herself to Queen Sudeṣṇā as a servant (sairandhrī), describing her readiness to work and her habit of being content with whatever clothing she receives, while mentioning the name ‘Mālinī’ associated with her past.