Shloka 25
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
स एष निरयं प्राप्तो मत्स्यस्य परिचारक: । सभायां देविता राज्ञ: कड्को ब्रूते युधिष्ठिर:
sa eṣa nirayaṁ prāpto matsyasya paricārakaḥ | sabhāyāṁ devitā rājñaḥ kaṅko brūte yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
ବୈଶମ୍ପାୟନ କହିଲେ—ସେଇ ଯୁଧିଷ୍ଠିର ପରାଧୀନତା-ରୂପ ନରକସଦୃଶ ଦଶାକୁ ପାଇ, ମତ୍ସ୍ୟରାଜଙ୍କ ସେବକ ହୋଇଛନ୍ତି। ସଭାରେ ସେ ରାଜାଙ୍କୁ ପାଶା ଖେଳାନ୍ତି ଏବଂ ସେଠାରେ ନିଜକୁ ‘କଙ୍କ’ ବୋଲି ପରିଚୟ ଦିଅନ୍ତି।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dependence and loss of autonomy as a ‘hell’ (niraya), highlighting the ethical pain of living under compulsion and the humility required in exile—especially for a dharma-minded king like Yudhiṣṭhira who must accept a lowly role and conceal his identity.
During the Pandavas’ incognito year in the Matsya court, Yudhiṣṭhira serves as an attendant connected with dice-play in the king’s assembly and uses the alias ‘Kaṅka,’ as Vaiśampāyana narrates.