Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 2
Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)
याज्ञसेनी सुदेष्णां तु शुश्रूषन्ती विशाम्पते । आवसत् परिचारार्हा सुदु:खं जनमेजय
yājñasenī sudeṣṇāṃ tu śuśrūṣantī viśāmpate | āvasat paricārārhā suduḥkhaṃ janamejaya ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: O Janamejaya, panginoon ng bayan—si Draupadī, anak ni Yajñasena (Yājñasenī), bagaman nararapat paglingkuran na parang isang reyna, ay namuhay roon sa matinding dalamhati habang naglilingkod kay Reyna Sudeṣṇā sa korte ng Matsya. Ipinapakita ng talatang ito ang lihim na pamumuhay ng mga Pāṇḍava sa lungsod ni Virāṭa, kung saan maging ang marangal ang pinagmulan ay, dahil sa dharma at pangangailangan, tumatanggap ng mababang tungkulin at nagtitiis nang hindi ibinubunyag ang sarili.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic endurance: even those of royal stature may accept menial-seeming service when duty and circumstance require it. True nobility is shown through self-restraint, patience, and steadfastness in adversity, not merely through external status.
During the Pandavas’ period of concealment in the Matsya realm, Draupadī lives in the palace as an attendant to Queen Sudeṣṇā. Though naturally fit to be served, she remains there with great hardship, maintaining the disguise and protecting the larger mission of completing the incognito year.