Shloka 13

Role-Allocation in Virāṭa’s Court: Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadī’s Concealment

Devanagari script

सो5हमेवं चरिष्यामि प्रीतिरत्र हि मे सदा । नच मां वेत्स्यते कश्चित्‌ तोषयिष्ये च पार्थिवम्‌,इस प्रकार मैं गौओंकी सेवा करूँगा। इस कार्यमें मुझे सदासे प्रेम रहा है। वहाँ मुझे कोई पहचान नहीं सकेगा। मैं अपने कार्यसे राजा विराटको संतुष्ट कर लूँगा-

Transliteration

so 'ham evaṁ cariṣyāmi prītir atra hi me sadā | na ca māṁ vetsyate kaścit toṣayiṣye ca pārthivam ||

Translation

「ゆえに、わたしはこのようにして暮らそう。この務めは昔から常にわたしの愛するところであった。あの地では誰ひとりとしてわたしを見抜けまい。わたしの奉仕によって、ヴィラータ王を満足させるのだ。」

Word by Word

सःhe (I, as that person)

अहम्I

एवम्thus, in this manner

चरिष्यामिI will act / I will live (thus)

प्रीतिःaffection, liking

अत्रhere, in this matter

हिindeed, for

मेof me, my

सदाalways

नnot

चand

माम्me

वेत्स्यतेwill know / will recognize

कश्चित्someone, anyone

तोषयिष्येI will please / I will satisfy

चand

पार्थिवम्the king

Speaker

सहदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sahadeva

King Virata

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

One may uphold dharma through humble service and self-restraint: Sahadeva chooses work aligned with his aptitude and affection, aiming to serve without seeking recognition, and to fulfill obligations safely during concealment.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the incognito period in Virata’s realm, Sahadeva declares his plan to take up a low-profile role (service connected with cattle) so that no one identifies him, while ensuring his conduct and work will please King Virata.