Shloka 14
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
राजन! दुर्योधनद्वारा पहचान लिये जानेके भयसे पाण्डव सदा सशंक रहते थे; अत: वे उस समय द्रौपदीकी देखभाल करते हुए भी छिपकर ही वहाँ निवास करते थे ।। अथ मासे चतुर्थ तु ब्रह्मण: सुमहोत्सव: । आसीत् समृद्धो मत्स्येषु पुरुषाणां सुसम्मत:,तदनन्तर चौथा महीना प्रारम्भ होनेपर मत्स्यदेशमें ब्रह्माजीकी पूजाका महान् उत्सव मनाया जाने लगा। इसमें बड़ा समारोह होता था। मत्स्यदेशके लोगोंको यह बहुत प्रिय था। जनमेजय! उस समय विराटनगरमें चारों दिशाओंसे हजारों कुश्ती लड़नेवाले मल्ल जुटने लगे। इसी अवसरपर ब्रह्माजी और भगवान् शंकरकी सभाके समान उस राजधानीमें लोगोंका जमाव होता था
rājan! duryodhanadvārā parijñāyitvā bhayena pāṇḍavāḥ sadā saśaṅkāḥ āsan; ataḥ te tasmin kāle draupadyāḥ paripālanaṃ kurvanto 'pi channam eva tatra nyavasan. atha māse caturthe tu brahmaṇaḥ sumahotsavaḥ āsīt samṛddho matsyeṣu puruṣāṇāṃ susammataḥ.
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: «Ó rei, temendo que Duryodhana os reconhecesse, os Pāṇḍavas viviam em constante cautela. Por isso, mesmo enquanto velavam por Draupadī, permaneciam ali apenas em ocultamento. Então, quando começou o quarto mês, na terra dos Matsyas celebrou-se um grande e próspero festival em honra de Brahmā, muito estimado e amado pelo povo.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one’s cause is righteous, prudence and self-restraint are necessary: the Pāṇḍavas protect Draupadī and their mission by remaining concealed, showing that dharma is upheld not only by valor but also by disciplined caution and timely action.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ hidden residence in the Matsya kingdom, they remain anxious about being identified by Duryodhana. As the fourth month begins, a major public festival honoring Brahmā starts in Matsya, drawing large crowds—an event that increases both opportunity and risk for those living in disguise.