Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 35
Adhyāya 6: Kaṅka (Yudhiṣṭhira) Seeks Refuge in Virāṭa’s Assembly
न प्रज्ञास्यन्ति कुरवो नरा वा तन्निवासिन: । इत्युक्त्वा वरदा देवी युधिष्ठिरमरिंदमम् । रक्षां कृत्वा च पाण्डूनां तत्रैवान्तरधीयत
na prajñāsyanti kuravo narā vā tannivāsinaḥ | ity uktvā varadā devī yudhiṣṭhiram ariṃdamam | rakṣāṃ kṛtvā ca pāṇḍūnāṃ tatraivāntaradhīyata ||
毗湿摩波耶那说：“无论是俱卢人，还是住在那里的众人，都不会认出你们。”说罢，那位赐福的女神便对敌人克服者——坚战（Yudhiṣṭhira）嘱咐一番；又为般度五子施下护佑的守护结界，随即在原地隐没不见。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Righteous aims may require prudent concealment, and when one remains aligned with dharma, protective grace (rakṣā) is portrayed as supporting the vulnerable—here, safeguarding the Pāṇḍavas so they can fulfill their vow without being exposed.
A boon-granting goddess assures Yudhiṣṭhira that the Kurus and local inhabitants will not recognize them; she then establishes a protective safeguard over the Pāṇḍavas and immediately disappears.