Shloka 253
भीमस्य बल्लव-प्रतिज्ञा तथा अर्जुनस्य बृहन्नडा-रूप-निर्णयः
Bhīma’s Ballava Vow and Arjuna’s Decision to Become Bṛhannadā
वलयैश्छादयिष्यामि बाहू किणकृताविमौ | अर्जुनने कहा--महाराज! मैं राजाकी सभामें यह दृढ़तापूर्वक कहूँगा कि मैं षण्ढक (नपुंसक) हूँ। राजन! यद्यपि मेरी दायीं-बायीं भुजाओंमें धनुषकी डोरीकी रगड़से जो महान् चिह्न बन गये हैं, उन्हें छिपाना बहुत कठिन है तथापि कंगन आदि आशभूषणोंसे मैं इन ज्याघातचिहल्लित भुजाओंको ढक-लूँगा
valayaiś chādayiṣyāmi bāhū kiṇakṛtāv imau |
ଅର୍ଜୁନ କହିଲେ— “ମହାରାଜ! ଧନୁଷର ଡୋରିର ଘର୍ଷଣରୁ ଏହି ଦୁଇ ଭୁଜାରେ ଯେ କଠିନ ଚିହ୍ନ ପଡ଼ିଛି, ମୁଁ ବଲୟ-କଙ୍କଣ ଆଦି ଆଭୂଷଣରେ ଢାକିଦେବି। ଏବଂ ରାଜସଭାରେ ମୁଁ ଦୃଢ଼ଭାବେ ନିଜକୁ ଷଣ୍ଢକ (ନପୁଂସକ) ବୋଲି ଘୋଷଣା କରିବି— ଯେପରି ମୋର ସତ୍ୟ ପରିଚୟ ଗୁପ୍ତ ରହେ ଓ ଅଜ୍ଞାତବାସର ଧର୍ମ ଭଙ୍ଗ ନ ହୁଏ।”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma sometimes requires disciplined concealment: Arjuna chooses a socially risky disguise and even hides the visible signs of his warrior identity to protect the Pandavas’ vow of living incognito, showing restraint and commitment to a pledged course of action.
As the Pandavas plan their incognito year in King Virata’s realm, Arjuna explains how he will pass as a eunuch (Bṛhannalā) and conceal the distinctive calluses on his arms—marks caused by constant archery—by wearing bangles, so he will not be recognized in the royal court.