04.003
Yudhishthira said.
Dear Nakula, what will you do there? You are tender, brave, and handsome, and accustomed to comfort. (04-3-1)
Nakul said.
I shall become the horse-keeper of King Virāṭa; my name will be Granthika — this duty is very dear to me. (04-3-2)
I am skilled in training horses and also in treating their ailments. Horses are always dear to me, O king of the Kurus, just as they are to you. (04-3-3)
To those people who invite me in the city of Virāṭa, I will thus speak; I will live as I (intend). (04-3-4)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Sahadeva, how will you stay near him? Or, dear one, will you secretly act and wander about? (04-3-5)
Sahadeva said.
I will serve as the cow-counter for King Virāṭa; I will be the one to guard and milk the cows, skilled in their enumeration. (04-3-6)
Let it be known to you that I am renowned by the name Tantipāla. I will act skillfully, and may your mental distress be relieved. (04-3-7)
O lord of men, I was indeed always employed by you among the cows formerly. There, my skill at work was recognized. (04-3-8)
O king, the characteristics, conduct, and auspicious signs of cows—all these, and other things besides, are well known to me. (04-3-9)
O king, I also know bulls with auspicious marks, whose urine, even when merely smelled, causes a barren woman to become fruitful. (04-3-10)
Thus shall I act. For I always find affection here; no one else will know me. Let this be to your satisfaction, O king. (04-3-11)
Yudhiṣṭhira said;
But this beloved wife of ours is more venerable even than life; she is to be protected like a mother, to be respected, and (to be regarded) like an elder sister and a sister. (04-3-12)
By what kind of action will Kṛṣṇā Draupadī act? For women truly do not know how to perform any action. (04-3-13)
How will this delicate and young girl, a glorious princess, devoted to her husband and greatly fortunate, move about indeed? (04-3-14)
A woman indeed recognizes only these—garlands, fragrances, ornaments, and various garments—because she is born that way. (04-3-15)
Draupadī said.
O Bhārata, in the world, only unprotected maids-in-waiting, like Sairandhri, become concubines; other women do not act so—this is the conviction of society. (04-3-16)
As I speak, I am Sairandhri, skilled in hairdressing; concealing myself, I shall dwell (here) as you ask me. (04-3-17)
I shall approach Sudeshna, the renowned wife of the king. She will protect me when I arrive. Let there not be such sorrow for you. (04-3-18)
Yudhishthira said.
O Kṛṣṇe, you speak auspiciously, being born in a noble family, exactly as one should speak; you are unaware of sin, virtuous and steadfast in your vow of chastity. (04-3-19)
