Shloka 28
भीमस्य बल्लव-प्रतिज्ञा तथा अर्जुनस्य बृहन्नडा-रूप-निर्णयः
Bhīma’s Ballava Vow and Arjuna’s Decision to Become Bṛhannadā
पठन्नाख्यायिकाश्वैव स्त्री भावेन पुन: पुन: । रमयिष्ये महीपालमन्यांश्चान्त:पुरे जनान्
paṭhann ākhyāyikāś caiva strī-bhāvena punaḥ punaḥ | ramayiṣye mahīpālam anyāṁś cāntaḥpure janān ||
Arjuna dit : «En prenant sans cesse le rôle d’une femme, je lirai à haute voix contes et récits, et j’amuserai ainsi le roi et les autres gens des appartements intérieurs.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent self-restraint and adaptive strategy in the service of dharma: Arjuna accepts a socially humble, non-violent role to protect the larger righteous aim of completing the incognito year without provoking conflict.
During the Pandavas’ incognito period, Arjuna explains the role he will take in King Virata’s household: adopting a feminine guise, he will recite stories and entertain the king and those in the inner palace.