04.007
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
athāparo bhīma-balaḥ śriyā jvala; n-nupāyayau siṃha-vilāsa-vikramaḥ. khajaṃ ca dervīṃ ca kareṇa dhāra-ya; n-na-siṃ ca kālāṅgama-kośam-avraṇam ॥04-7-1॥
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)
sa sūdarūpaḥ parameṇa varcasā; ravir yathā lokam imaṃ prabhāsayan। sukṛṣṇavāsā girirājasāravā; nsa matsyarājaṃ samupetya tasthivān ॥04-7-2॥
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)
taṁ prekṣya rājā varayann upāgataṁ; tato'bravīj jānapadān samāgatān. siṁho-nnatāṁso'yam atīva rūpavān; pradṛśyate ko nu nararṣabho yuvā ॥04-7-3॥
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)
adṛṣṭapūrvaḥ puruṣo raviryathā; vitarkayannāsya labhāmi sampadam. tathāsya cittaṃ hyapi saṃvitarkaya; nnararṣabhasyādya na yāmi tattvataḥ ॥04-7-4॥
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)
tato virāṭaṃ samupetya pāṇḍavaḥ; sudīnarūpo vacanaṃ mahāmanāḥ। uvāca sūdo'smi narendra ballavo; bhajasva māṃ vyañjanakāramuttamam ॥04-7-5॥
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)
virāṭa uvāca॥
Virāṭa said.
na sūdatāṁ mānada śraddadhāmi te; sahasranetrapratimo hi dṛśyase. śriyā ca rūpeṇa ca vikrameṇa ca; prabhāsi tātānavaro nareṣviha ॥04-7-6॥
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)
bhīma uvāca॥
Bhima said.
narendra sūdaḥ paricārako'smi te; jānāmi sūpānprathamena kevalān. āsvāditā ye nṛpate purābhava; nyudhiṣṭhireṇāpi nṛpeṇa sarvaśaḥ ॥04-7-7॥
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)
balena tulyas ca na vidyate mayā; niyuddha-śīlas ca sadaiva pārthiva. gajaiś ca siṁhaiś ca sameyivān ahaṁ; sadā kariṣyāmi tavānagha priyam ॥04-7-8॥
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)
virāṭ uvāca॥
Virāṭ said.
dadāmi te hanta varaṁ mahānase; tathā ca kuryāḥ kuśalaṁ hi bhāṣase. na caiva manye tava karma tatsamaṁ; samudranemiṁ pṛthivīṁ tvamarhasi ॥04-7-9॥
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)
yathā hi kāmas-tava tattathā kṛtaṃ; mahānase tvaṃ bhava me puraskṛtaḥ. narāś-ca ye tatra mam-ocitāḥ purā; bhavasva teṣām-adhipo mayā kṛtaḥ ॥04-7-10॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tathā sa bhīmo vihito mahānase; virāṭarājño dayito'bhavaddṛḍham। uvāsa rājanna ca taṃ pṛthagjano; bubodha tatrānucaraś ca kaścana ॥04-7-11॥
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)
