Shloka 3
द्रौपदी-भीमसेनसंवादः
Draupadī–Bhīmasena Dialogue on Suffering, Kāla, and Daiva
सूपकारं विराटस्य बल्लवं त्वां विदुर्जना: । प्रेष्यत्वं समनुप्राप्तं ततो दुःखतरं नु किम्,लोग तुम्हें राजा विराटके रसोइये बलल्लवके नामसे जानते हैं। तुम स्वामी होकर भी आज सेवककी दशामें पड़े हो। इससे बढ़कर महान् कष्ट मेरे लिये और क्या हो सकता है?
sūpakāraṃ virāṭasya ballavaṃ tvāṃ vidur janāḥ | preṣyatvaṃ samanuprāptaṃ tato duḥkhataraṃ nu kim ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: “As pessoas te conhecem na casa do rei Virāṭa como o cozinheiro chamado Ballava. Embora sejas senhor por natureza e posição, caíste agora à condição de servo. Que tristeza poderia ser maior do que esta?”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the pain of social reversal—one who is inherently a lord being forced into servitude—inviting reflection on endurance, dignity, and dharma under adversity, especially during exile and concealment.
In the Virāṭa Parva’s incognito period, the person addressed is known in King Virāṭa’s court as “Ballava,” a cook. Vaiśampāyana underscores the tragic contrast between the person’s true stature and the imposed role of a servant.