04.001
The Book of Virata;
Janamejaya said.
How did my forefathers, afflicted by fear of Duryodhana, spend the period of concealment in the city of Virāṭa? (04-1-1)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, he, the foremost among the upholders of righteousness, having obtained the boons from Dharma, went to the hermitage and told all of that to the Brāhmaṇas. (04-1-2)
But after stating all that to the Brāhmaṇas, Yudhiṣṭhira gave to that Brāhmaṇa the firesticks along with (everything else). (04-1-3)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the noble-minded king and son of Dharma, called back all his younger brothers and spoke thus, O Bhārata. (04-1-4)
We have been exiled from the kingdom for these twelve years; now, the thirteenth—an extremely difficult and hard-to-endure period—has arrived. (04-1-5)
Therefore, O son of Kunti, Arjuna, choose a dwelling here where we all may live in these abodes, unnoticed by others. (04-1-6)
Arjuna said.
O lord of men, by the very boon of Dharma, we shall go about unknown among men, O bull among the Bharatas. (04-1-7)
But for dwelling, I shall recount some countries; among those, choose a few which are pleasing and protected. (04-1-8)
There are beautiful and fertile regions around the Kuru land: the Pañcālas, the Cedis and Matsyas, the Śūrasenas, the Paṭaccaras, the Daśārṇas, the Nava-rashtra, the Mallas, the Śālvas, and the Yugandharas. (04-1-9)
O king, which of these residences do you prefer? Where shall we stay for this year, O lord of kings? (04-1-10)
Yudhishthira said.
O mighty-armed one, it is just as the glorious lord, the lord of all beings, has spoken; it is so and not otherwise. (04-1-11)
Certainly, for the purpose of dwelling, a place that is beautiful, auspicious, and comfortable should be considered—having taken counsel with all companions—whether it is free from danger from any direction. (04-1-12)
Virāṭa, the king of the Matsyas—who is strong, virtuous, generous, elderly, and very wealthy—should protect the Pāṇḍavas. (04-1-13)
O Bhārata, we will spend this year in the city of Virāta performing his tasks, dear one. (04-1-14)
O descendants of Kuru, whichever actions of his we shall be able to perform, let him who knows say which those are, and let him state that task. (04-1-15)
Arjuna said.
O king, how will you act in his kingdom? O noble one, by what work will you enjoy yourself in King Virata's realm? (04-1-16)
O king, gentle, generous, modest, righteous, and truly valiant, afflicted by calamity, what will you do, O Pāṇḍava? (04-1-17)
O king, no person knows how to endure anything appropriate to suffering. Having come into this terrible affliction, how will you cross over it? (04-1-18)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Hear, O descendants of Kuru, what action I shall indeed undertake—having approached King Virāṭa, the foremost among men. (04-1-19)
I will serve as a courtier of that great-souled king. Assuming the name Kaṅka as a twice-born and dice-expert, I shall become his favorite. (04-1-20)
I will construct beautiful (trees/statues/etc.) made of cat's eye gems, gold, ivory, fruits, and resplendent sapphires, as well as beautiful ones with black or red eyes. (04-1-21)
If the king asks me, I will say this: "Formerly, I was a friend equal to life for Yudhiṣṭhira." (04-1-22)
Thus, I have told this to you; I will act as indicated. Bhīma, in the kingdom of Virāṭa, by what duty will you be engaged? (04-1-23)
