नातृप्यद् दर्शने तेषां विराटो वाहिनीपति: । स प्रीयमाणो राजानं युधिष्ठटिरमथाब्रवीत्,सेनाओंके स्वामी राजा विराट पाण्डवोंको देख-देखकर तृप्त नहीं होते थे। वे प्रेमपूर्वक राजा युधिष्ठिरसे इस प्रकार बोले--
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: na atṛpyat darśane teṣāṃ Virāṭo vāhinīpatiḥ | sa prīyamāṇo rājānaṃ Yudhiṣṭhiram atha abravīt ||
സൈന്യങ്ങളുടെ അധിപനായ വിരാടൻ അവരെ കണ്ടുകണ്ടു തൃപ്തനായില്ല. സ്നേഹവും ആനന്ദവും നിറഞ്ഞ്, പിന്നെ രാജാവായ യുധിഷ്ഠിരനോട് ഇങ്ങനെ പറഞ്ഞു—
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights righteous kingship expressed through gratitude and affectionate respect: a powerful ruler (Virāṭa) honors virtue and proven integrity (Yudhiṣṭhira and the Pāṇḍavas), showing that strength is ennobled by dharmic regard rather than mere authority.
After recognizing the Pāṇḍavas, Virāṭa is so delighted that he cannot stop looking at them. Overcome with affection, he turns to Yudhiṣṭhira and begins to speak, setting up the ensuing dialogue and alliance.