Shloka 20
Role-Allocation in Virāṭa’s Court: Nakula, Sahadeva, and Draupadī’s Concealment
आत्मगुप्ता चरिष्यामि यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि,मैं अपनी रक्षा स्वयं कर लूँगी। आप जो मुझसे पूछते हैं कि तुम वहाँ क्या करोगी? कैसे रहोगी? उसके उत्तरमें निवेदन है कि मैं यशस्विनी राजपत्नी सुदेष्णाके पास जाऊँगी। मुझे अपने पास आयी हुई जानकर वे रख लेंगी और सब प्रकारसे मेरी रक्षा करेंगी। अतः आपके मनमें इस बातका दुःख नहीं होना चाहिये कि द्रौपदी कैसे सुरक्षित रह सकेगा
ātmagupṭā cariṣyāmi yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi |
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: «Viverei oculto, guardando-me a mim mesmo, como perguntas. Quanto ao que farei lá e como permanecerei: irei à rainha Sudeṣṇā, a célebre consorte real. Sabendo que vim buscar abrigo, ela me manterá junto de si e me protegerá de todas as maneiras. Portanto, não deixes que em tua mente surja a aflição: “Como Draupadī permanecerá em segurança?”»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights prudent self-guarding (ātmagupṭā) and strategic reliance on righteous social protection: Draupadī plans to remain safe through vigilance and by taking refuge in the queen’s household, easing Yudhiṣṭhira’s anxiety and upholding dharma during concealment.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ year of incognito living, Yudhiṣṭhira explains the plan for Draupadī’s safety: she will go to Queen Sudeṣṇā at Virāṭa’s court, be accepted into her care, and thus remain protected while they live in disguise.