Shloka 2
Role-Allocation in Virāṭa’s Court: Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadī’s Concealment
वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! धर्मात्माओंमें श्रेष्ठ तथा पुरुषोंमें महान् वीर अर्जुन इस प्रकार कहकर चुप हो गये। तब राजा युधिष्छिर पुन: दूसरे भाईसे बोले ।। युधिछिर उवाच कि त्वं नकुल कुर्वाणस्तत्र तात चरिष्यसि । कर्म तत् त्वं समाचक्ष्व राज्ये तस्य महीपते: । सुकुमारश्न शूरश्न॒ दर्शनीय: सुखोचित:,युधिष्ठिरने पूछा--नकुल! तुम राजा विराटके राज्यमें कौन-सा कार्य करते हुए निवास करोगे? वह कार्य बताओ। तात! तुम तो शूरवीर होनेके साथ ही अत्यन्त सुकुमार, परम दर्शनीय और सर्वथा सुख भोगनेके ही योग्य हो
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
kiṃ tvaṃ nakula kurvāṇas tatra tāta cariṣyasi |
karma tat tvaṃ samācakṣva rājye tasya mahīpateḥ |
sukumāraś ca śūraś ca darśanīyaḥ sukhocitaḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: “Ó Janamejaya, Arjuna—o melhor entre os virtuosos e grande herói entre os homens—tendo dito isso, calou-se. Então o rei Yudhiṣṭhira voltou a falar com outro de seus irmãos.” Yudhiṣṭhira perguntou: “Nakula, meu querido irmão, que função assumirás lá, vivendo no reino daquele soberano? Dize-me claramente que trabalho farás nas terras do rei Virāṭa. Pois és ao mesmo tempo delicado e valente, belo de se ver, e pareces talhado para o conforto.”
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent dharma in adversity: one should choose an appropriate, sustainable duty (karma) suited to circumstance. Yudhiṣṭhira’s careful questioning reflects ethical responsibility—planning conduct and livelihood so that survival, honor, and the larger vow of concealment are maintained without reckless display.
After Arjuna falls silent, Yudhiṣṭhira turns to Nakula and asks what occupation he will adopt while living in King Virāṭa’s kingdom. The question is part of the Pāṇḍavas’ planning for their incognito year, ensuring each brother takes a plausible role that will not expose their identity.