04.006
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tato virāṭaṃ prathamaṃ yudhiṣṭhiro; rājā sabhāyām upaviṣṭam āvrajat। vaiḍūrya-rūpān pratimucya kāñcanā; nakṣān sa kakṣe parigṛhya vāsasā ॥04-6-1॥
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira, in the assembly, was the first to approach Virāṭa, who sat there, having adorned himself with golden ornaments like beryl, and having placed them at his side with his garment. (4-6-1)
narādhipo rāṣṭrapatiṁ yaśasvinaṁ; mahāyaśāḥ kauravavaṁśavardhanaḥ. mahānubhāvo nararājasatkṛto; durāsadastīkṣṇaviṣo yathoragaḥ ॥04-6-2॥
The king of men, a glorious protector of his realm and great in fame, who advanced the Kaurava line, possessed great dignity and was honored by all monarchs; he was as unapproachable and as fiercely poisonous as a serpent. (04-6-2)
bālena rūpeṇa naraṛṣabho mahā; nathārcirūpeṇa yathāmarastathā। mahābhrajālairiva saṃvṛto ravi; ryathānalo bhasmavṛtaśca vīryavān ॥04-6-3॥
Great was the bull among men, in the form of a youth; just as the immortal shines with the form of blazing flame. He was enveloped by great arrays of clouds like the sun is, and was as powerful as fire covered with ashes. (04-6-3)
tam āpatantaṃ prasamīkṣya pāṇḍavaṃ; virāṭarāḍ indum ivābhra-saṃvṛtam। mantri-dvijān sūta-mukhān viśas tathā; ye ca api kecit pariṣat samāsate ॥ papraccha ko'yaṃ prathamaṃ sameyivā; na nena yo'yaṃ prasamīkṣate sabhām ॥04-6-4॥
Observing the approaching Pāṇḍava, King Virāṭa—like the moon covered by clouds—asked the ministers, Brāhmaṇas, heralds, and others present in the assembly (as well as some gentlemen): 'Who is this who has come first? By him, why does this one gaze intently at the assembly?' (04-6-4)
na tu dvijo'yaṁ bhavitā narottamaḥ; patiḥ pṛthivyā iti me manogatam। na cāsya dāso na ratho na kuṇḍale; samīpato bhrājati cāyam indravat ॥04-6-5॥
But this best of men will not become a twice-born; lord of the earth—so it has occurred in my mind. Nor has he a servant, nor a chariot, nor ear-rings; yet from nearby, he shines like Indra. (04-6-5)
śarīra-liṅgair upasūcito hy ayaṃ; mūrdhābhiṣikto' yam itīva mānasam। samīpam āyāti ca me gata-vyathaḥ; yathā gajas tāmarasīṃ madotkaṭaḥ ॥04-6-6॥
By bodily marks, indeed, this one is indicated; crowned on the head, this very one—as if so, my mind, free from pain, draws near, just as an elephant filled with rut approaches the lotus pond. (04-6-6)
vitarkayantaṃ tu naraṛṣabhas tadā; yudhiṣṭhiro'bhyetya virāṭam abravīt. samrāḍ vijānāt viha jīvitārthinaṃ; vinaṣṭasarvasvam upāgataṃ dvijam ॥04-6-7॥
But then, the bull among men Yudhiṣṭhira, having approached King Virāṭa, spoke: 'O emperor, let it be known here that a Brāhmaṇa, who has lost everything and is seeking a means to live, has arrived.' (04-6-7)
ihāham icchāmi tavānaghāntike; vastuṃ yathā kāmacaras tathā vibho. tam abravīt svāgatam ity anantaraṃ; rājā prahṛṣṭaḥ pratisaṅgṛhāṇa ca ॥04-6-8॥
I wish to stay here near you, O sinless one, and live as I please, O lord. The king, overjoyed, immediately said to him, "Welcome!" and "Please accept my hospitality." (04-6-8)
kāmena tātābhivadāmyahaṃ tvāṃ; kasyāsi rājño viṣayādihāgataḥ. gotraṃ ca nāmāpi ca śaṃsa tattvataḥ; kiṃ cāpi śilpaṃ tava vidyate kṛtam ॥04-6-9॥
Out of curiosity, dear, I greet you. From which king's domain have you come here? Tell me truthfully your clan and name, and also whether you possess any special skill or craft. (04-6-9)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
yudhiṣṭhirasya asam aham purā sakhā; vaiyāghrapadyaḥ punar asmi brāhmaṇaḥ. akṣān pravaptuṃ kuśalaḥ asmi devitā; kaṅka iti nāmnā asmi virāṭa viśrutaḥ ॥04-6-10॥
I was once the friend of Yudhiṣṭhira, known as Vaiyāghrapadya. Now I am a Brāhmaṇa by profession, skilled in casting dice; as Kaṅka, I am well-known in Virāṭa. (04-6-10)
virāṭ uvāca॥
Virāṭ said;
dadāmi te hanta varaṃ yam icchasi; praśādhi matsyān vaśago hy ahaṃ tava. priyā hi dhūrtā mama devinaḥ sadā; bhavāṃś ca devopama rājyam arhati॥04-6-11॥
I grant you whatever boon you desire; rule the Matsyas, for I am truly under your control. Cunning women are always dear to my wives; and you, who are like a god, are worthy of the kingdom. (04-6-11)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
āpto vivādaḥ paramo viśāṃ pate; na vidyate kiñcana matsya hīnataḥ. na me jitaḥ kaścana dhārayed dhanaṃ; varo mama eṣaḥ astu tava prasādataḥ ॥04-6-12॥
O lord of men, the highest dispute has been resolved; there exists nothing without fish. Let none conquered by me possess wealth; this is the boon I desire by your favour. (4-6-12)
virāṭ uvāca॥
Virāṭ said.
hanyām avadhyaṃ yadi te 'priyaṃ care; t pravrājayeyam viṣayād dvijāṃs tathā। śṛṇvantu me jānapadāḥ samāgatāḥ; kaṅko yathāhaṃ viṣaye prabhus tathā ॥04-6-13॥
If I do what is disagreeable to you, I might kill even one who should not be killed, or banish the twice-born from the kingdom. Let all the people of the country who have assembled hear—just as Kaṅka, I am the lord here in this land. (04-6-13)
samānayāno bhavitāsi me sakhā; prabhūtavastro bahupānabhojanaḥ. paśyestvam antaś ca bahiś ca sarvadā; kṛtaṃ ca te dvāram apāvṛtaṃ mayā ॥04-6-14॥
You will be my friend, sharing the same vehicle, with plenty of clothing and ample food and drink. You may always see both inside and outside; and your door has been left open by me. (04-6-14)
ye tvānuvādeyur avṛtti-karśitāḥ; brūyāś ca teṣāṃ vacanena me sadā. dāsyāmi sarvaṃ tad ahaṃ na saṃśayo; na te bhayaṃ vidyati saṃnidhau mama ॥04-6-15॥
Whoever would repeat your words, being afflicted by lack of livelihood, you should always address them by my authority. I shall surely give them everything—there is no doubt. In my presence, you need not fear anything. (04-6-15)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evaṁ sa labdhvā tu varaṁ samāgamaṁ; virāṭarājena nararṣabhas tadā। uvāsa vīraḥ paramārcitaḥ sukhī; na cāpi kaścid caritaṁ bubodha tat ॥04-6-16॥
Thus, having gained a privileged audience from King Virāṭa, that heroic bull among men dwelled there most highly honored and happy; and no one came to know that conduct. (04-6-16)
