Shloka 18
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
विराटनगरे तात संवत्सरमिमं वयम् । कुर्वन्तस्तस्य कर्माणि विहरिष्याम भारत,भाई अर्जुन! इसलिये इस वर्ष हमलोग राजा विराटके ही नगरमें रहें और उनका कार्यसाधन करते हुए उनके यहाँ विचरण करें
virāṭanagare tāta saṁvatsaram imaṁ vayam | kurvantās tasya karmāṇi viharīṣyāma bhārata ||
ユディシュティラは言った。「愛しき者よ。ゆえにこの一年、我らはヴィラータ王の都に留まろう。王のもとに仕え、その務めを果たしつつ、そこで身を隠して暮らすのだ、バーラタよ。」
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent dharma in adversity: choosing lawful, nonviolent means—humble service and restraint—to fulfill a difficult obligation (living incognito for a year) without provoking unnecessary conflict.
At the start of the Virāṭa Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira proposes that the Pāṇḍavas spend the required final year of exile in disguise within King Virāṭa’s city, taking up roles as servants or workers and moving about there without being recognized.