Shloka 22
द्रौपदी-भीमसेनसंवादः
Draupadī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Suffering, Kāla, and Daiva
स्प्रष्ट रा जसहस्राणि तेजसाप्रतिमानि वै | समरे नाभ्यवर्तन्त वेलामिव महार्णव:
spraṣṭrājasahasrāṇi tejasāpratimāni vai | samare nābhyavartanta velām iva mahārṇavaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: Di medan perang, ribuan raja yang bersinar dengan keagungan tiada bandingan pun tidak mampu mara menentang wira itu—seperti lautan besar tidak dapat melampaui garis pantainya. Namun Arjuna yang muda itu kini mengajar puteri-puteri Raja Virāṭa menari, bersembunyi dalam penyamaran sebagai sida-sida dan melayani para puteri tersebut.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined self-control and strategic humility: a warrior feared by kings accepts a lowly, concealed role to uphold dharma and fulfill the exile conditions, showing that true strength includes restraint and adaptability.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year, Arjuna—once unstoppable in battle—lives in Virāṭa’s palace in disguise (as a dance instructor), teaching the king’s daughters and serving them while remaining hidden.