Shloka 19
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
यदा सर्वे विमनसस्ते मल्ला हतचेतस: । अथ सूदेन तं मल्ल॑ योधयामास मत्स्यराट्,जब वे सभी मल्ल उदासीन हो हिम्मत हार बैठे, तब मत्स्यनरेशने अपने रसोइयेसे उस पहलवानको लड़ानेका निश्चय किया
yadā sarve vimanās te mallā hata-cetasaḥ | atha sūdena taṃ mallaṃ yodhayāmāsa matsya-rāṭ |
Nang ang lahat ng manlalaban ay nanlumo at nawalan ng loob, nagpasya ang hari ng Matsya na ipalaban sa mandirigmang iyon ang sarili niyang kusinero—upang magharap ng bagong hahamon kapag sumuko na ang iba.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
When morale collapses, leadership is tested: the king must act decisively and find a capable means to restore confidence and order. The verse highlights the ethical dimension of kingship—responding to public crisis with resolve rather than passivity.
The wrestlers have become dejected and unwilling to continue. King Virāṭa of Matsya therefore decides to pit the opponent against his cook—who, in the Virāṭa narrative context, is Bhīma in disguise—so that the contest can continue with a stronger challenger.