Shloka 4
Nakula’s Reception in Matsya: Appointment as Aśvasūta
Horse-master
सर्वानिपृच्छच्च सभानुचारिण: कुतोडयमायाति पुरा न मे श्रुत: । न चैनमूचुर्विंदितं तदा नरा: सविस्मयं वाक्यमिदं नृपो<ब्रवीत्,छटद्मावेशसे अपने स्वरूपको छिपाकर सभाभवनमें आया हुआ वह शत्रुविजयी वीर पुरुष अपने उत्कृष्ट तेजसे प्रकाशित हो रहा था। गजराजके समान बल-विक्रमवाले उस महेन्द्रपुत्र अर्जुनको देखकर राजाने समस्त सभासदोंसे पूछा--“यह कहाँसे आया है? आजसे पहले मैंने कभी इसके विषयमें नहीं सुना है।” राजाके पूछनेपर उन मनुष्योंमेंसे किसीने उस पुरुषको अपना परिचित नहीं बताया। तब राजाने आश्चर्ययुक्त होकर यह बात कहीं--
sarvān ipṛcchac ca sabhānucāriṇaḥ kuto ’yam āyāti purā na me śrutaḥ | na cainam ūcur vinditaṃ tadā narāḥ savismayaṃ vākyam idaṃ nṛpo ’bravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: O rei interrogou todos os que circulavam pelo salão da assembleia: “De onde veio esta pessoa? Nunca ouvi falar dele antes.” Contudo, nenhum daqueles homens conseguiu identificá-lo como conhecido. Então o rei, cheio de espanto, proferiu estas palavras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should respond to the unfamiliar with careful inquiry rather than rash judgment. Even when someone conceals their identity, inner excellence—tejas, bearing, and capability—can draw attention, so discernment and due process in a public setting are part of dharmic governance.
In Virāṭa’s assembly, a striking newcomer appears. The king asks the courtiers where this person has come from, saying he has never heard of him before. No one can identify the newcomer, and the king, astonished, continues speaking—setting up the recognition of Arjuna’s disguised presence in the Virāṭa court.