Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 10
Ballava (Bhīma) Seeks Employment as Royal Cook in Virāṭa’s Court
तं॑ राजसिंहं प्रतिगृह्य राजा प्रीत्या55त्मना चैनमिदं बभाषे | कामेन ताताभिवदाम्यहं त्वां कस्यासि राज्ञो विषयादिहागत:
taṁ rājasiṁhaṁ pratigṛhya rājā prītyātmanā cainam idaṁ babhāṣe | kāmena tātābhivadāmy ahaṁ tvāṁ kasyāsi rājño viṣayād ihāgataḥ ||
ਵੈਸ਼ੰਪਾਯਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ— ਉਸ ਰਾਜਸਿੰਹ ਨੂੰ ਆਦਰ ਨਾਲ ਸਵੀਕਾਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਰਾਜਾ ਵਿਰਾਟ ਨੇ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਭਰੇ ਮਨ ਨਾਲ ਕਿਹਾ— “ਤਾਤ! ਮੈਂ ਸਦਭਾਵ ਨਾਲ ਪੁੱਛਦਾ ਹਾਂ— ਤੂੰ ਕਿਸ ਰਾਜੇ ਦੇ ਦੇਸ਼ ਤੋਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਆਇਆ ਹੈਂ?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights rājadharma expressed through hospitality and courteous inquiry: a ruler receives a worthy guest with affection and asks about his origin in a respectful, non-threatening manner.
After Yudhiṣṭhira (in disguise during the incognito year) is welcomed, King Virāṭa receives him warmly and asks from which king’s territory he has come.
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