Shloka 25
Draupadī’s Grief at Seeing the Heroes in Disguise (द्रौपदी-विषादः / वेष-परिभव-वर्णनम्)
स एष निरयं प्राप्तो मत्स्यस्य परिचारक: । सभायां देविता राज्ञ: कड्को ब्रूते युधिष्ठिर:,वे ही ये युधिष्ठिर आज मत्स्यराजके सेवक होकर परतन्त्रतारूपी नरकमें पड़े हुए हैं। ये सभामें राजाको जूआ खेलाते और कंक कहकर अपना परिचय देते हैं
sa eṣa nirayaṁ prāpto matsyasya paricārakaḥ | sabhāyāṁ devitā rājñaḥ kaṅko brūte yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Kaya’t napasapit siya sa isang uri ng impiyerno—ang mamuhay sa ilalim ng kapangyarihan ng iba—na naglilingkod sa hari ng Matsya. Sa bulwagan ng kapulungan, pinaglalaro niya ang hari ng sugal na dice, at si Yudhiṣṭhira roon ay nagpapakilala sa pangalang ‘Kaṅka.’”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dependence and loss of autonomy as a ‘hell’ (niraya), highlighting the ethical pain of living under compulsion and the humility required in exile—especially for a dharma-minded king like Yudhiṣṭhira who must accept a lowly role and conceal his identity.
During the Pandavas’ incognito year in the Matsya court, Yudhiṣṭhira serves as an attendant connected with dice-play in the king’s assembly and uses the alias ‘Kaṅka,’ as Vaiśampāyana narrates.