04.007
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अथापरो भीमबलः श्रिया ज्वल; न्नुपाययौ सिंहविलासविक्रमः। खजं च दर्वीं च करेण धारय; न्नसिं च कालाङ्गमकोशमव्रणम् ॥०४-७-१॥
Then another, possessed of mighty strength and resplendent, came forward with the proud stride and vigor of a lion. He held a ladle and a spoon in his hand, and also carried the sheath for the black limb, unblemished. (04-7-1)
स सूदरूपः परमेण वर्चसा; रविर्यथा लोकमिमं प्रभासयन्। सुकृष्णवासा गिरिराजसारवा; न्स मत्स्यराजं समुपेत्य तस्थिवान् ॥०४-७-२॥
He, resplendent in supreme glory and beautiful form, just like the sun illuminating this world, dressed in dark garments and bearing the substance of the king of mountains, approached and stood before the king of the fish. (04-7-2)
तं प्रेक्ष्य राजा वरयन्नुपागतं; ततोऽब्रवीज्जानपदान्समागतान्। सिंहोन्नतांसोऽयमतीव रूपवान्; प्रदृश्यते को नु नरर्षभो युवा ॥०४-७-३॥
Having seen him, the king, selecting the one who had approached, then spoke to the assembled people of the land: 'This man, with shoulders raised like a lion, is exceedingly handsome; who indeed is this young and outstanding man, this bull among men, who is seen?' (04-7-3)
अदृष्टपूर्वः पुरुषो रविर्यथा; वितर्कयन्नास्य लभामि सम्पदम्। तथास्य चित्तं ह्यपि संवितर्कय; न्नरर्षभस्याद्य न यामि तत्त्वतः ॥०४-७-४॥
Just as one cannot grasp the true nature of the never-before-seen sun by reasoning, so too, though I consider his mind intently, today I cannot truly understand the reality of this eminent man. (04-7-4)
ततो विराटं समुपेत्य पाण्डवः; सुदीनरूपो वचनं महामनाः। उवाच सूदोऽस्मि नरेन्द्र बल्लवो; भजस्व मां व्यञ्जनकारमुत्तमम् ॥०४-७-५॥
Then, having drawn near to Virāṭa, the Pāṇḍava, appearing very miserable, the great-minded one said: "O king, I am Ballava the cook. Accept me as an excellent maker of dishes." (04-7-5)
विराट उवाच॥
Virāṭa said.
न सूदतां मानद श्रद्दधामि ते; सहस्रनेत्रप्रतिमो हि दृश्यसे। श्रिया च रूपेण च विक्रमेण च; प्रभासि तातानवरो नरेष्विह ॥०४-७-६॥
O respect-giver, I do not believe you possess the nature of a servant; you appear, indeed, like Indra himself. In splendor, form, and valor, O dear one, you shine here among men with none your equal. (04-7-6)
भीम उवाच॥
Bhima said.
नरेन्द्र सूदः परिचारकोऽस्मि ते; जानामि सूपान्प्रथमेन केवलान्। आस्वादिता ये नृपते पुराभव; न्युधिष्ठिरेणापि नृपेण सर्वशः ॥०४-७-७॥
O king, I am your cook and attendant; I know the soups that, in former times, were first tasted solely, and which were entirely enjoyed even by King Yudhishthira. (04-7-7)
बलेन तुल्यश्च न विद्यते मया; नियुद्धशीलश्च सदैव पार्थिव। गजैश्च सिंहैश्च समेयिवानहं; सदा करिष्यामि तवानघ प्रियम् ॥०४-७-८॥
There is none equal to me in strength; I am always devoted to combat, O king. I have contended with elephants and lions; I shall always do what is dear to you, O sinless one. (04-7-8)
विराट उवाच॥
Virāṭ said.
ददामि ते हन्त वरं महानसे; तथा च कुर्याः कुशलं हि भाषसे। न चैव मन्ये तव कर्म तत्समं; समुद्रनेमिं पृथिवीं त्वमर्हसि ॥०४-७-९॥
I truly grant you a boon, O cook; therefore, act well, for you speak well. I do not consider anything equal to your deed; you deserve the earth rimmed by the ocean. (04-7-9)
यथा हि कामस्तव तत्तथा कृतं; महानसे त्वं भव मे पुरस्कृतः। नराश्च ये तत्र ममोचिताः पुरा; भवस्व तेषामधिपो मया कृतः ॥०४-७-१०॥
As your wish has been carried out, you shall be foremost in the kitchen for me. And those men who were previously suitable for me there—you shall become their leader as appointed by me. (04-7-10)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तथा स भीमो विहितो महानसे; विराटराज्ञो दयितोऽभवद्दृढम्। उवास राजन्न च तं पृथग्जनो; बुबोध तत्रानुचरश्च कश्चन ॥०४-७-११॥
Thus, Bhīma was appointed in the kitchen and became firmly dear to King Virāṭa. He stayed there, O King, and no other person or attendant recognized him. (04-7-11)
