Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 5
Ballava (Bhīma) Seeks Employment as Royal Cook in Virāṭa’s Court
मन्त्रिद्विजान् सूतमुखान् विशस्तथा ये चापि केचित् परित: समासते । पप्रच्छ को<यं प्रथमं समेयिवान् नृपोपमो<यं समवेक्षते सभाम्
mantridvijān sūtamukhān viśas tathā ye cāpi kecit paritaḥ samāsate | papraccha ko 'yaṃ prathamaṃ sameyivān nṛpopamo 'yaṃ samavekṣate sabhām ||
ਵੈਸ਼ੰਪਾਯਨ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਰਾਜੇ ਨੇ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਲੇ-ਦੁਆਲੇ ਬੈਠੇ ਮੰਤਰੀਆਂ, ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣਾਂ, ਸੂਤ-ਮਾਗਧ ਆਦਿ ਵੰਦੀਜਨਾਂ, ਵੈਸ਼ਿਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਹੋਰ ਸਭਾਸਦਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ—“ਇਹ ਕੌਣ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਸਭ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਇੱਥੇ ਆਇਆ ਹੈ? ਇਹ ਤਾਂ ਰਾਜੇ ਵਾਂਗ ਮੇਰੀ ਸਭਾ ਨੂੰ ਇਉਂ ਤੱਕਦਾ ਹੈ ਜਿਵੇਂ ਇਹ ਇਸਦੀ ਆਪਣੀ ਹੋਵੇ!”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights royal discernment and the importance of proper recognition in a court: a ruler must read demeanor and status carefully, consulting the learned and experienced around him before forming judgment.
In the royal assembly, an impressive newcomer arrives first and surveys the hall with confidence. Noticing his kingly bearing, the king turns to the assembled ministers, Brahmins, and court officials to ask who this person is.
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