Virāṭaparva - Chapter-3

 

विराटपर्व - Virāṭaparva

अध्यायः – 3  ::Chapter-3

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ सहदेवोऽपि गोपानां कृत्वा वेषमनुत्तमम् । भाषां चैषां समास्थाय विराटमुपयादथ ॥ 1॥ तमायान्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य भ्राजमानं नरर्षभम् । समुपस्थाय वै राजा पप्रच्छ कुरुनन्दनम् ॥ 2॥ कस्य वा त्वं कुतो वा त्वं किं वा तात चिकीर्षसि । न हि मे दृष्टपूर्वस्त्वं तत्त्वं ब्रूहि नरर्षभ ॥ 3॥ स प्राप्य राजानममित्रतापन;स्ततोऽब्रवीन्मेघमहौघनिःस्वनः । वैश्योऽस्मि नाम्नाहमरिष्टनेमि;र्गोसङ्ख्य आसं कुरुपुङ्गवानाम् ॥ 4॥ वस्तुं त्वयीच्छामि विशां वरिष्ठ; तान्राजसिंहान्न हि वेद्मि पार्थान् । न शक्यते जीवितुमन्यकर्मणा; न च त्वदन्यो मम रोचते नृपः ॥ 5॥ विराट उवाच॥ त्वं ब्राह्मणो यदि वा क्षत्रियोऽसि; समुद्रनेमीश्वररूपवानसि । आचक्ष्व मे तत्त्वममित्रकर्शन; न वैश्यकर्म त्वयि विद्यते समम् ॥ 6॥ कस्यासि राज्ञो विषयादिहागतः; किं चापि शिल्पं तव विद्यते कृतम् । कथं त्वमस्मासु निवत्स्यसे सदा; वदस्व किं चापि तवेह वेतनम् ॥ 7॥ सहदेव उवाच॥ पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणां ज्येष्ठो राजा युधिष्ठिरः । तस्याष्टशतसाहस्रा गवां वर्गाः शतं शताः ॥ 8॥ अपरे दशसाहस्रा द्विस्तावन्तस्तथापरे । तेषां गोसङ्ख्य आसं वै तन्तिपालेति मां विदुः ॥ 9॥ भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च यच्च सङ्ख्यागतं क्वचित् । न मेऽस्त्यविदितं किञ्चित्समन्ताद्दशयोजनम् ॥ 10॥ गुणाः सुविदिता ह्यासन्मम तस्य महात्मनः । आसीच्च स मया तुष्टः कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 11॥ क्षिप्रं हि गावो बहुला भवन्ति; न तासु रोगो भवतीह कश्चित् । तैस्तैरुपायैर्विदितं मयैत;देतानि शिल्पानि मयि स्थितानि ॥ 12॥ वृषभांश्चापि जानामि राजन्पूजितलक्षणान् । येषां मूत्रमुपाघ्राय अपि वन्ध्या प्रसूयते ॥ 13॥ विराट उवाच॥ शतं सहस्राणि समाहितानि; वर्णस्य वर्णस्य विनिश्चिता गुणैः । पशून्सपालान्भवते ददाम्यहं; त्वदाश्रया मे पशवो भवन्त्विह ॥ 14॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ अथापरोऽदृश्यत रूपसम्पदा; स्त्रीणामलङ्कारधरो बृहत्पुमान् । प्राकारवप्रे प्रतिमुच्य कुण्डले; दीर्घे च कम्बू परिहाटके शुभे ॥ 15॥ बहूंश्च दीर्घांश्च विकीर्य मूर्धजा;न्महाभुजो वारणमत्तविक्रमः । गतेन भूमिमभिकम्पयंस्तदा; विराटमासाद्य सभासमीपतः ॥ 16॥ तं प्रेक्ष्य राजोपगतं सभातले; सत्रप्रतिच्छन्नमरिप्रमाथिनम् । विराजमानं परमेण वर्चसा; सुतं महेन्द्रस्य गजेन्द्रविक्रमम् ॥ 17॥ सर्वानपृच्छच्च समीपचारिणः; कुतोऽयमायाति न मे पुरा श्रुतः । न चैनमूचुर्विदितं तदा नराः; सविस्मितं वाक्यमिदं नृपोऽब्रवीत् ॥ 18॥ सर्वोपपन्नः पुरुषो मनोरमः; श्यामो युवा वारणयूथपोपमः । विमुच्य कम्बू परिहाटके शुभे; विमुच्य वेणीमपिनह्य कुण्डले ॥ 19॥ शिखी सुकेशः परिधाय चान्यथा; भवस्व धन्वी कवची शरी तथा । आरुह्य यानं परिधावतां भवा;न्सुतैः समो मे भव वा मया समः ॥ 20॥ वृद्धो ह्यहं वै परिहारकामः; सर्वान्मत्स्यांस्तरसा पालयस्व । नैवंविधाः क्लीबरूपा भवन्ति; कथञ्चनेति प्रतिभाति मे मनः ॥ 21॥ अर्जुन उवाच॥ गायामि नृत्याम्यथ वादयामि; भद्रोऽस्मि नृत्ते कुशलोऽस्मि गीते । त्वमुत्तरायाः परिदत्स्व मां स्वयं; भवामि देव्या नरदेव नर्तकः ॥ 22॥ इदं तु रूपं मम येन किं नु त;त्प्रकीर्तयित्वा भृशशोकवर्धनम् । बृहन्नडां वै नरदेव विद्धि मां; सुतं सुतां वा पितृमातृवर्जिताम् ॥ 23॥ विराट उवाच॥ ददामि ते हन्त वरं बृहन्नडे; सुतां च मे नर्तय याश्च तादृशीः । इदं तु ते कर्म समं न मे मतं; समुद्रनेमिं पृथिवीं त्वमर्हसि ॥ 24॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ बृहन्नडां तामभिवीक्ष्य मत्स्यरा;ट्कलासु नृत्ते च तथैव वादिते । अपुंस्त्वमप्यस्य निशम्य च स्थिरं; ततः कुमारीपुरमुत्ससर्ज तम् ॥ 25॥ स शिक्षयामास च गीतवादितं; सुतां विराटस्य धनञ्जयः प्रभुः । सखीश्च तस्याः परिचारिकास्तथा; प्रियश्च तासां स बभूव पाण्डवः ॥ 26॥ तथा स सत्रेण धनञ्जयोऽवस;त्प्रियाणि कुर्वन्सह ताभिरात्मवान् । तथागतं तत्र न जज्ञिरे जना; बहिश्चरा वाप्यथवान्तरेचराः ॥ 27॥	27 (159)
" Vaisampayana said, 'Then dressed like a cowherd and speaking in their dialect, Sahadeva arrived at the cow pen in Virata's city. Upon seeing that remarkable man, shining brightly, the king was filled with wonder. He told his men to call for Sahadeva. When Sahadeva appeared, the king asked him, 'Who do you belong to? Where do you come from? What brings you here? I don’t think I’ve seen you before. Oh, great one, please tell me about yourself.' 'Sahadeva replied in a deep voice, like thunder, 'I am a Vaisya, named Arishtanemi. I worked as a cowherd for the noble Kuru family, the sons of Pandu. Oh, esteemed king, I wish to stay with you, for I do not know where the mighty sons of Pritha are. I cannot live without work, and I prefer to serve no one but you.' 'Virata, hearing this, said, 'You must be either a Brahmana or a Kshatriya. You seem like you could be the ruler of the world. Honestly tell me, O fierce warrior, it doesn’t seem fitting for you to be a Vaisya. Tell me which king's lands you come from, what skills you possess, what your role would be here, and what compensation you seek.'' " Sahadeva replied, 'Yudhishthira, the eldest of Pandu's five sons, owned one herd of cattle numbering eight hundred and ten thousand, another of ten thousand, and a third of twenty thousand, and so forth. I was responsible for managing those cattle. People called me Tantripala. I possess knowledge of all breeds of cattle living within a ten Yojana radius, and I can predict their fate. My skills were appreciated by the renowned Yudhishthira, the Kuru king, who was very pleased with me. I also understand methods for helping cattle multiply quickly and remain free from disease. Additionally, I can identify bulls with auspicious traits that are revered by people, whose urine can help the barren conceive.' Virata said, 'I have a hundred thousand cattle separated into different herds. I now entrust all of them, along with their caretakers, to your care. From now on, my cattle will be your responsibility.' Vaisampayana continued, 'Next, another figure of enormous size and extraordinary beauty, adorned with women's jewellery and wearing large earrings and beautiful gold conch bracelets, appeared at the fortress gate. This strong individual, with long flowing hair, walked like an elephant. His powerful steps shook the ground as he approached Virata and stood in his court. As Arjuna, shining brilliantly and moving gracefully like a mighty elephant—this fearsome warrior disguised his true form. Entering the council chamber and approaching the king, the monarch addressed his courtiers, asking, 'Who is this person?' I have never heard of him before.' When the men present referred to the newcomer as a stranger, the king remarked in awe, 'You possess great strength, like a divine being. Young and with a dark complexion, you resemble the leader of elephants. Adorned with golden conch bracelets, a braid, and earrings, you shine like one of those who ride chariots, fully equipped for battle, and crowned with fine flowers. I am old and eager to lay down my burdens. Be like my son, or rule over all the Matsyas as I do. It seems to me that someone like you could never be of a neutral gender.'  Arjuna replied, 'I sing, dance, and play instruments. I am skilled in dance and music. O noble king, give me the role of the dance teacher for the princess Uttara. As for how I came to be in this form, what good will it do you to know my story, which will only add to my suffering? Know me, O king, as Brihannala, a child without mother or father.' Virata responded, 'O Brihannala, I grant you your wish. Teach my daughter and others like her to dance. However, I feel this role is beneath your capabilities. You deserve the rule of the entire world surrounded by the ocean.' Vaisampayana continued, 'The king of the Matsyas then tested Brihannala's skills in dance, music, and other fine arts. After consulting with his ministers, he had Brihannala examined by women. Discovering that his impotency was permanent, the king sent him to the maidens' quarters. There, the mighty Arjuna began teaching singing and music to the daughter of Virata, her friends, and her attendants, quickly winning their favour. In this way, the composed Arjuna lived in disguise, enjoying their company without anyone, inside or outside the palace, knowing his true identity.'
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ अथापरोऽदृश्यत पाण्डवः प्रभु;र्विराटराज्ञस्तुरगान्समीक्षतः । तमापतन्तं ददृशे पृथग्जनो; विमुक्तमभ्रादिव सूर्यमण्डलम् ॥ 1॥ स वै हयानैक्षत तांस्ततस्ततः; समीक्षमाणं च ददर्श मत्स्यराट् । ततोऽब्रवीत्ताननुगानमित्रहा; कुतोऽयमायाति नरोऽमरप्रभः ॥ 2॥ अयं हयान्वीक्षति मामकान्दृढं; ध्रुवं हयज्ञो भविता विचक्षणः । प्रवेश्यतामेष समीपमाशु मे; विभाति वीरो हि यथामरस्तथा ॥ 3॥ अभ्येत्य राजानममित्रहाब्रवी;ज्जयोऽस्तु ते पार्थिव भद्रमस्तु च । हयेषु युक्तो नृप संमतः सदा; तवाश्वसूतो निपुणो भवाम्यहम् ॥ 4॥ विराट उवाच॥ ददामि यानानि धनं निवेशनं; ममाश्वसूतो भवितुं त्वमर्हसि । कुतोऽसि कस्यासि कथं त्वमागतः; प्रब्रूहि शिल्पं तव विद्यते च यत् ॥ 5॥ नकुल उवाच॥ पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणां ज्येष्ठो राजा युधिष्ठिरः । तेनाहमश्वेषु पुरा प्रकृतः शत्रुकर्शन ॥ 6॥ अश्वानां प्रकृतिं वेद्मि विनयं चापि सर्वशः । दुष्टानां प्रतिपत्तिं च कृत्स्नं चैव चिकित्सितम् ॥ 7॥ न कातरं स्यान्मम जातु वाहनं; न मेऽस्ति दुष्टा वडवा कुतो हयाः । जनस्तु मामाह स चापि पाण्डवो; युधिष्ठिरो ग्रन्थिकमेव नामतः ॥ 8॥ विराट उवाच॥ यदस्ति किञ्चिन्मम वाजिवाहनं; तदस्तु सर्वं त्वदधीनमद्य वै । ये चापि केचिन्मम वाजियोजका;स्त्वदाश्रयाः सारथयश्च सन्तु मे ॥ 9॥ इदं तवेष्टं यदि वै सुरोपम; ब्रवीहि यत्ते प्रसमीक्षितं वसु । न तेऽनुरूपं हयकर्म विद्यते; प्रभासि राजेव हि संमतो मम ॥ 10॥ युधिष्ठिरस्येव हि दर्शनेन मे; समं तवेदं प्रियदर्श दर्शनम् । कथं तु भृत्यैः स विनाकृतो वने; वसत्यनिन्द्यो रमते च पाण्डवः ॥ 11॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ तथा स गन्धर्ववरोपमो युवा; विराटराज्ञा मुदितेन पूजितः । न चैनमन्येऽपि विदुः कथञ्चन; प्रियाभिरामं विचरन्तमन्तरा ॥ 12॥	12 (171)
" Vaisampayana said, 'After a time, another mighty son of Pandu was seen rushing toward King Virata. As he approached, he appeared to everyone like the sun breaking through the clouds. He began to inspect the horses nearby. Observing this, the king of the Matsyas said to his attendants, 'I wonder where this man comes from, as he shines like a divine being. He is closely examining my steeds. Surely, he must know a lot about horses. Let him be brought to me right away. He is a warrior who looks like a god!' The foe-destroyer then approached the king and greeted him, saying, 'Hail to you, O king, and blessings upon you. As a horse trainer, I have always been valued by rulers. I will be a skilled caretaker of your horses.' Virata replied, 'I will provide you with vehicles, wealth, and spacious accommodations. You shall be in charge of my horses. But first, tell me where you come from, who you are, and how you arrived here. Also reveal all the skills you possess.' Nakula responded, 'O enemy vanquisher, know that Yudhishthira is the eldest of the five sons of Pandu. I was once employed by him to care for his horses. I understand their tempers well and am skilled in training them. I know how to correct stubborn horses and treat their ailments. No animal in my care becomes weak or sick. Not only horses, but even mares, will not turn vicious under my watch. People call me Granthika, as did Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu.' Virata said, 'From today, I entrust all my horses to your care. All the horse keepers and charioteers will also serve you from now on. If this arrangement works for you, please let me know what reward you desire. But you, who resemble a celestial being, deserve a greater role than this, as you bear the presence of a king, and I hold you in high regard. Your demeanour here brings me as much joy as if Yudhishthira himself were present. I wonder how that noble son of Pandu lives and entertains himself in the forest, now alone and without servants.' Vaisampayana continued, 'That young man, resembling a leader among celestial beings, was treated with great respect by the delighted King Virata. He conducted himself in a way that endeared him to everyone in the palace.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एवं ते न्यवसंस्तत्र प्रच्छन्नाः कुरुनन्दनाः । आराधयन्तो राजानं यदकुर्वन्त तच्छृणु ॥ 1॥ युधिष्ठिरः सभास्तारः सभ्यानामभवत्प्रियः । तथैव च विराटस्य सपुत्रस्य विशां पते ॥ 2॥ स ह्यक्षहृदयज्ञस्तान्क्रीडयामास पाण्डवः । अक्षवत्यां यथाकामं सूत्रबद्धानिव द्विजान् ॥ 3॥ अज्ञातं च विराटस्य विजित्य वसु धर्मराट् । भ्रातृभ्यः पुरुषव्याघ्रो यथार्हं स्म प्रयच्छति ॥ 4॥ भीमसेनोऽपि मांसानि भक्ष्याणि विविधानि च । अतिसृष्टानि मत्स्येन विक्रीणाति युधिष्ठिरे ॥ 5॥ वासांसि परिजीर्णानि लब्धान्यन्तःपुरेऽर्जुनः । विक्रीणानश्च सर्वेभ्यः पाण्डवेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ॥ 6॥ सहदेवोऽपि गोपानां वेषमास्थाय पाण्डवः । दधि क्षीरं घृतं चैव पाण्डवेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ॥ 7॥ नकुलोऽपि धनं लब्ध्वा कृते कर्मणि वाजिनाम् । तुष्टे तस्मिन्नरपतौ पाण्डवेभ्यः प्रयच्छति ॥ 8॥ कृष्णापि सर्वान्भ्रातॄंस्तान्निरीक्षन्ती तपस्विनी । यथा पुनरविज्ञाता तथा चरति भामिनी ॥ 9॥ एवं सम्पादयन्तस्ते तथान्योन्यं महारथाः । प्रेक्षमाणास्तदा कृष्णामूषुश्छन्ना नराधिप ॥ 10॥ अथ मासे चतुर्थे तु ब्रह्मणः सुमहोत्सवः । आसीत्समृद्धो मत्स्येषु पुरुषाणां सुसंमतः ॥ 11॥ तत्र मल्लाः समापेतुर्दिग्भ्यो राजन्सहस्रशः । महाकाया महावीर्याः कालखञ्जा इवासुराः ॥ 12॥ वीर्योन्नद्धा बलोदग्रा राज्ञा समभिपूजिताः । सिंहस्कन्धकटिग्रीवाः स्ववदाता मनस्विनः ॥ 13॥ असकृल्लब्धलक्षास्ते रङ्गे पार्थिवसंनिधौ ॥ ॥ तेषामेको महानासीत्सर्वमल्लान्समाह्वयत् । आवल्गमानं तं रङ्गे नोपतिष्ठति कश्चन ॥ 14॥ यदा सर्वे विमनसस्ते मल्ला हतचेतसः । अथ सूदेन तं मल्लं योधयामास मत्स्यराट् ॥ 15॥ चोद्यमानस्ततो भीमो दुःखेनैवाकरोन्मतिम् । न हि शक्नोति विवृते प्रत्याख्यातुं नराधिपम् ॥ 16॥ ततः स पुरुषव्याघ्रः शार्दूलशिथिलं चरन् । प्रविवेश महारङ्गं विराटमभिहर्षयन् ॥ 17॥ बबन्ध कक्ष्यां कौन्तेयस्ततस्तं हर्षयञ्जनम् । ततस्तं वृत्रसङ्काशं भीमो मल्लं समाह्वयत् ॥ 18॥ तावुभौ सुमहोत्साहावुभौ तीव्रपराक्रमौ । मत्ताविव महाकायौ वारणौ षष्टिहायनौ ॥ 19॥ चकर्ष दोर्भ्यामुत्पाट्य भीमो मल्लममित्रहा । विनदन्तमभिक्रोशञ्शार्दूल इव वारणम् ॥ 20 तमुद्यम्य महाबाहुर्भ्रामयामास वीर्यवान् । ततो मल्लाश्च मत्स्याश्च विस्मयं चक्रिरे परम् ॥ 21॥ भ्रामयित्वा शतगुणं गतसत्त्वमचेतनम् । प्रत्यपिंषन्महाबाहुर्मल्लं भुवि वृकोदरः ॥ 22॥ तस्मिन्विनिहते मल्ले जीमूते लोकविश्रुते । विराटः परमं हर्षमगच्छद्बान्धवैः सह ॥ 23॥ संहर्षात्प्रददौ वित्तं बहु राजा महामनाः । बल्लवाय महारङ्गे यथा वैश्रवणस्तथा ॥ 24॥ एवं स सुबहून्मल्लान्पुरुषांश्च महाबलान् । विनिघ्नन्मत्स्यराजस्य प्रीतिमावहदुत्तमाम् ॥ 25॥ यदास्य तुल्यः पुरुषो न कश्चित्तत्र विद्यते । ततो व्याघ्रैश्च सिंहैश्च द्विरदैश्चाप्ययोधयत् ॥ 26॥ पुनरन्तःपुरगतः स्त्रीणां मध्ये वृकोदरः । योध्यते स्म विराटेन सिंहैर्मत्तैर्महाबलैः ॥ 27॥ बीभत्सुरपि गीतेन सुनृत्तेन च पाण्डवः । विराटं तोषयामास सर्वाश्चान्तःपुरस्त्रियः ॥ 28॥ अश्वैर्विनीतैर्जवनैस्तत्र तत्र समागतैः । तोषयामास नकुलो राजानं राजसत्तम ॥ 29॥ तस्मै प्रदेयं प्रायच्छत्प्रीतो राजा धनं बहु । विनीतान्वृषभान्दृष्ट्वा सहदेवस्य चाभिभो ॥ 30॥ एवं ते न्यवसंस्तत्र प्रच्छन्नाः पुरुषर्षभाः । कर्माणि तस्य कुर्वाणा विराटनृपतेस्तदा ॥ 31॥	31 (202)
Vaisampayana said, ‘Yudhishthira formed a friendship with Virata and his sons, winning over the people of Matsya. A skilled gambler, the son of Pandu played games that captivated them, drawing them into the gaming hall like trapped birds. Among them, Yudhishthira the Just, in disguise, fairly shared his winnings from Virata with his brothers. Bhimasena sold various meats and dishes he obtained from the king to Yudhishthira. Arjuna distributed the income from used cloths he collected in the palace, while Sahadeva, posing as a cowherd, supplied milk, yogurt, and butter to his brothers. Nakula provided wealth awarded to him by the king for his horse skills. Meanwhile, Draupadi, in a sorrowful state, cared for all her brothers without revealing her identity. Thus, meeting each other's needs, these mighty warriors lived in the city of Virata, hidden from view, as if still in their mother’s womb. The sons of Pandu, cautious of the threat from Dhritarashtra's son, continued to stay concealed while keeping a watchful eye on their wife Draupadi.' In the fourth month, the grand festival in honour of the divine Brahma was celebrated with great splendour in Matsya. Athletes from all around, thousands strong, came like celestial hosts to witness the festival. They were towering and powerful, resembling the fearsome demons known as Kalakhanjas. Thrilled by their skill and proud of their might, they earned great honour from the king. Their shoulders, waists, and necks resembled those of lions, their bodies were impeccably clean, and their hearts were calm. Many times, they had triumphed in competitions before kings. Among them was one who stood out and challenged everyone to a duel. No one dared to approach him as he confidently walked in the arena. When the other athletes looked disheartened, the king of the Matsyas ordered him to fight with his cook. Reluctantly Bhima agreed, unable to defy the king's command. After paying his respects to the king, he entered the large arena, moving with the ease of a tiger. Bhima readied himself for battle, much to the delight of the spectators. He then called out Jimuta, an athlete comparable to the famed Asura Vritra, known for his strength. Both were incredibly brave and possessed immense power, resembling two furious, enormous elephants, each sixty years old. The fearless warriors engaged in a wrestling match, eager to outdo one another. The clash between them was fierce, reminiscent of thunder striking a rocky mountain. They fought with bare arms, which are as tough as iron maces. Ultimately, the powerful Bhima, known for vanquishing his enemies, shouted triumphantly as he seized the boisterous athlete by the arms, lifting him off the ground like a lion with its prey, and spun him around, astonishing everyone present in the Matsya crowd. After spinning him around a hundred times until he was unconscious, the mighty Vrikodara threw him to the ground, killing him instantly. The courageous and famous Jimuta was thus slain, which brought great joy to Virata and his companions. Overcome with happiness, the noble king generously rewarded Vallava on the spot, showing him the kindness of Kuvera. Vallava, having slain many strong athletes and other formidable men, greatly pleased the king. When no one else dared to challenge him in the arena, the king had him face tigers, lions, and elephants. Additionally, he made Vallava fight fierce lions in the harem for the entertainment of the ladies. Meanwhile, Arjuna entertained both the king and the women with his singing and dancing. Nakula delighted Virata by showcasing fast and well-trained horses that followed him faithfully. The king, pleased with Nakula, bestowed him with abundant gifts. Seeing Sahadeva surrounded by a herd of well-trained oxen, Virata, the greatest of men, also gave him various forms of wealth. However, Draupadi, distressed by the suffering of the warriors, sighed endlessly. Thus, these distinguished individuals lived there in disguise, serving King Virata."

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  विराटपर्वणि तृतीयोऽध्यायः॥

 

Virāṭaparva Chapter - 2

Virāṭaparva Chapter- 4