Shloka 17
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 21 — Kīcaka’s clandestine approach and Bhīma’s covert intervention (नर्तनागारे कीचकवध-प्रसङ्गः)
मादीर्घ क्षम काल त्वं मासमर्ध च सम्मितम् | पूर्णे त्रयोदशे वर्षे राज्ञां राज्ञी भविष्यसि,अब तुम थोड़े दिनोंतक और ठहर जाओ । वर्ष पूरा होनेमें महीना--आध-महीना और रह गया है। तेरहवाँ वर्ष पूर्ण होते ही तुम राजरानी बनोगी
mā dīrghaṁ kṣama kāla tvaṁ māsārdhaṁ ca sammitam | pūrṇe trayodaśe varṣe rājñāṁ rājñī bhaviṣyasi ||
Bhīmasena berkata: “Janganlah menanggungnya terlalu lama. Tinggal kira-kira sebulan—barangkali setengah bulan—sahaja. Sebaik sahaja genap tahun ketiga belas, engkau akan menjadi permaisuri di antara para raja.”
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast patience in adversity: Bhīma urges endurance by remembering that hardship is time-bound and that dharma, when upheld through the required term, leads to restoration of honor and rightful status.
During the Pandavas’ final incognito year, Bhīma consoles the addressed woman (contextually, Draupadī) that only a short time remains until the thirteenth year ends; once that term is fulfilled, their concealment ends and she will regain royal dignity as a queen.