Role-Allocation in Virāṭa’s Court: Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadī’s Concealment
युधिछिर उवाच सहदेव कथं तस्य समीपे विहरिष्यसि । किं वा त्वं कर्म कुर्वाण: प्रच्छन्नो विहरिष्यसि,युधिष्ठिरने सहदेवसे पूछा--भैया सहदेव! तुम राजा विराटके समीप कैसे जाओगे उनके यहाँ क्या काम करते हुए गुप्तरूपसे निवास करोगे?
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca sahadeva kathaṁ tasya samīpe vihariṣyasi | kiṁ vā tvaṁ karma kurvāṇaḥ pracchanno vihariṣyasi ||
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: “Sahadeva, bagaimana engkau akan hidup dekat dengannya? Dan pekerjaan apakah yang akan engkau lakukan, ketika engkau hidup dalam penyamaran?” Dalam ketegangan etika pembuangan, Yudhiṣṭhira menyelidik bukan sahaja siasat penyamaran, tetapi juga kewajaran mata pencarian dan tingkah laku ketika bersembunyi, agar kelangsungan hidup mereka tidak mencemari dharma.
युधिछिर उवाच
Even under pressure, one should plan survival in a way that preserves dharma: choosing a fitting occupation, maintaining self-control, and avoiding actions that would betray one’s identity or compromise ethical conduct.
During the incognito year in Virāṭa’s realm, Yudhiṣṭhira asks Sahadeva how he will stay near the king and what role or work he will undertake while remaining hidden.