Shloka 20
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
अजुन उवाच नरदेव कथं तस्य राष्ट्र कर्म करिष्यसि । विराटनगरे साधो रंस्यसे केन कर्मणा,अर्जुनने पूछा--नरदेव! आप उनके राष्ट्रमें किस प्रकार कार्य करेंगे? महात्मन्! विराटनगरमें कौन-सा कर्म करनेसे आपको प्रसन्नता होगी?
arjuna uvāca | naradeva kathaṁ tasya rāṣṭre karma kariṣyasi | virāṭanagare sādho raṁsyase kena karmaṇā ||
Arjuna berkata: “Wahai raja di antara manusia, bagaimana engkau akan melaksanakan tugasmu di dalam kerajaan baginda itu? Wahai insan mulia, di kota Virāṭa, dengan pekerjaan apakah engkau akan berasa tenteram dan menghabiskan waktu?”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights practical dharma: even in concealment and uncertainty, one should choose a fitting, sustainable occupation and conduct oneself responsibly within another’s realm.
Arjuna asks a companion (addressed respectfully as ‘naradeva’ and ‘sādho’) how he plans to serve or work within Virāṭa’s kingdom and what role in Virāṭanagara will keep him content during their period of living incognito.