Shloka 11
द्रौपद्याः शोकवचनम्
Draupadī’s Lament and Indictment of Misfortune
सर्वश्वेतेव माहेयी वने जाता त्रिहायणी । उपातिष्ठत पाज्चाली वासितेव नरर्षभम्
sarvaśvetā iva māheyī vane jātā trihāyaṇī | upātiṣṭhata pāñcālī vāsitā iva nararṣabham, kurunandana |
Waiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai kebanggaan Kuru, Pāñcālī mendekati Bhīmasena, banteng di antara manusia, bagaikan seekor sapi betina putih seluruhnya, berusia tiga tahun, lahir di rimba, seolah telah dipakaikan wewangian dan perhiasan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in adversity and concealment, one should uphold decorum, self-control, and respectful conduct; the Pāṇḍavas’ dharma is shown through restrained behavior and dignified roles rather than open assertion of power.
During the incognito year in Virāṭa’s realm, Draupadī (as Pāñcālī) comes to Bhīma (serving in the royal kitchen). The verse uses auspicious similes (a white, three-year-old heifer, perfumed/adorned) to describe her approach to the heroic ‘bull among men.’