Shloka 14
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
एतेषां कतमो राजन् निवासस्तव रोचते । यत्र वत्स्यामहे राजन् संवत्सरमिमं वयम्,राजन! इनमेंसे कौन-सा राष्ट्र आपको निवास करनेके लिये पसंद है? जिसमें हम सब लोग इस वर्ष निवास करें
eteṣāṁ katamo rājan nivāsas tava rocate | yatra vatsyāmahe rājan saṁvatsaram imaṁ vayam ||
அர்ஜுனன் கூறினான்—அரசே! இவற்றில் எது உமக்கு தங்குவதற்கு விருப்பமான நாடு? சொல்லும் அரசே, இந்த ஒரு ஆண்டை நாம் எங்கே வாழ வேண்டும்?
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent counsel and collective responsibility: before undertaking a risky year-long stay, the group seeks the king’s preference, emphasizing respectful consultation, strategic choice of refuge, and disciplined planning in adversity.
At the outset of the Virāṭa episode, Arjuna addresses a king and asks which among the available realms would be suitable for residence, since they intend to live there for a full year—setting up the decision about where to spend the period of concealed living.