Shloka 36
Śamī-vṛkṣe śastra-nidhāna and Entry into Virāṭa’s Capital (शमीवृक्षे शस्त्रनिधानम्)
ततो यथाप्रतिज्ञाभि: प्राविशन् नगरं महत् । अज्ञातचर्या वत्स्यन्तो राष्ट्रे वर्ष त्रयोदशम्,तत्पश्चात् उन्होंने अपनी प्रतिज्ञाके अनुसार तेरहवें वर्षका अज्ञातवास पूर्ण करनेके लिये मत्स्यराष्ट्रके उस विशाल नगरमें प्रवेश किया
tato yathāpratijñābhiḥ prāviśan nagaraṃ mahat | ajñātacaryā vatsyanto rāṣṭre varṣa trayodaśam ||
それから彼らは誓いのとおり、その大いなる都へと入った。第十三年を国中で身を隠して過ごす決意のもと、彼らは歩みを進めた—約した隠遁の期限を、誓いを破ることなく成し遂げるためである。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights fidelity to one’s pledged word (pratijñā): ethical strength is shown by completing a difficult vow—here, the incognito year—without compromising integrity, even under risk and uncertainty.
After completing twelve years of forest exile, the Pāṇḍavas enter the great city in the Matsya kingdom to begin the thirteenth year living incognito (ajñātacaryā), aiming to fulfill the conditions of their exile without being recognized.