विदितं भवतां सर्वे र्धार्तराष्ट्रैर्यथा वयम्। संमन्त्राहृतराज्याश्च निस्स्वाश्च बहुशः कृताः । उषिताः स्मो वने कृच्छ्रं तथा वर्षाणि द्वादश
You all know well how we were deprived of our kingdom by the sons of Dhritarashtra through deceit, rendered destitute many times, and endured hardship in the forest for twelve years.
अज्ञातचर्यासमयं शेषं वर्षं त्रयोदशम्। तद्वत्स्यामः क्वचिच्छन्नास्तदनुज्ञातुमर्हथ
Now, the thirteenth year of living incognito remains; we shall dwell somewhere in concealment. You should grant us your permission for this.
इत्युक्ता धर्मराजेन ब्राह्मणाः परमाशिषः । प्रयुज्यापृच्छ्य भरतान्यथास्वं प्रययुर्गृहान्
Thus addressed by the king of righteousness, the Brahmanas, offering their highest blessings, took their leave and returned to their homes.
सर्वे वेदविदो मुख्या यतयो मुनयस्तदा। आशीरुक्त्वा यथान्यायं पुनर्दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः
All the foremost knowers of the Vedas, ascetics, and sages, after offering blessings as was proper, departed, longing to see them again.
ते तु भृत्याश्च दूताश्च शिल्पिनः परिचारकाः। अनुज्ञाप्य यथान्यायं पुनर्दर्शनकाङ्क्षिणः
Their servants, messengers, artisans, and attendants, having been duly permitted, also departed, wishing to see them again.
सह धौम्येन विद्वांसस्तथा ते पञ्च पाण्डवाः। उत्थाय प्रययुर्वीराः कृष्णामादाय भारत
Then, together with Dhaumya, the learned priest, the five Pandavas, those heroes, rose up and set out, taking Krishna with them, O Bharata.
क्रोशमात्रमतिक्रम्य तस्माद्वासान्निमित्ततः । श्वोभूते मनुजव्याघ्राश्छन्नवासार्थमुद्यताः
Having gone about a krosha's distance from their dwelling, the tiger-like men prepared, at dawn, to adopt disguises for their incognito stay.
पृथक् शास्त्रविदः सर्वे सर्वे मन्त्रविशारदाः । सन्धिविग्रहतत्वज्ञा मन्त्राय समुपाविशन्
All those skilled in the scriptures and expert in counsel, knowing the essence of alliance and conflict, assembled for deliberation.
निवृत्तवनवासास्ते सत्यसन्धा मनस्विनः। अकुर्वत पुनर्मन्त्रं सह धौम्येन पाण्डवाः ।। 1
Having completed their forest exile, those truthful and resolute Pandavas again held counsel together with Dhaumya.
अथाब्रवीद्धर्मराजः कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। भ्रातॄन्कृष्णां च संग्रेक्ष्य धौम्यं च कुरुनन्दनः ।। 2
Then Yudhishthira, son of Kunti and king of righteousness, looking at his brothers, Krishna, and Dhaumya, spoke, O descendant of the Kurus.
द्वादशेमानि वर्षाणि राज्याद्विप्रोषिता वयम्। त्रयोदशोऽयं संप्राप्तः कृच्छ्रात्परमदुर्वसः। स साधु कौन्तेय इतो वासमर्जुन रोचय ।। 3
We have spent these twelve years exiled from our kingdom; now the thirteenth, most difficult and grievous, has arrived. So, Arjuna, choose a suitable place for us to dwell.
त्रयोदशमिदं प्राप्तं क्वनु वत्स्यामहेऽर्जुन। अबुद्धा धार्तराष्ट्रैश्च समग्राः सह कृष्णया ।। 4
This thirteenth year has come, Arjuna; where shall we live, unnoticed by the sons of Dhritarashtra, all together with Krishna?
तस्यैव वरदानेन धर्मस्य मनुजाधिप। अज्ञाता विचरिष्यामो नराणां भरतर्षभ ।। 5
By the boon granted to us by Dharma, O king of men, we shall wander among people unrecognized, O bull of the Bharatas.
यानि राष्ट्राणि वासाय कीर्तयिष्यामि कानिचित् । रमणीयानि गुप्तानि तेषां किंचित्तु रोचय ।। 6
I will name some countries suitable for dwelling; among those pleasant and secure places, choose whichever pleases you.
रम्या जनपदाः सन्ति बहवस्त्वभितः कुरून् । पाञ्चालाश्चैव मत्स्याश्च साल्ववैदेहबाह्लिकाः । दशार्णाः शूरसेनाश्च कलिङ्गा मागधा अपि ।। 7
There are many delightful provinces around the Kurus: the Panchalas, Matsyas, Salvas, Videhas, Bahlikas, Dasharnas, Shurasenas, Kalingas, and Magadhas as well.
विराटनगरं चापि श्रूयते शत्रुसूदन । रमणीयं जनाकीर्णं सुभिक्षं स्फीतमेव च ।। 8
The city of Virata is also renowned, O slayer of foes—pleasant, crowded with people, abundant in food, and prosperous.
नानाराष्ट्राणि चान्यानि श्रूयन्ते सुबहूनि च । यत्र ते रोचते राजंस्तत्र गच्छामहे वयम् ।। 9
Many other diverse and prosperous countries are also heard of; wherever you desire, O king, there shall we go.
कतमस्मिञ्जनपदे महाराज निवत्स्यसि । मा विषादे मनः कार्यं राज्यभ्रंश इति क्वचित् ।। 10
In which land, O great king, will you reside? Do not let your mind be troubled anywhere because of the loss of the kingdom.
एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा स भगवान्प्रभुः। अब्रवीत्सर्वभूतेशस्तथैतन्न तदन्यथा ।। 11
So it is, O mighty-armed one, just as that blessed Lord, the master of all beings, has spoken; thus it shall be, and not otherwise.
अवश्यं त्वेव वासार्थं रमणीयं शिवं सुखम्। संमन्त्र्य सहितैः सर्वैर्द्रव्यमकुतोऽभयम् ।। 12
Certainly, for the sake of dwelling, we must choose a pleasant, auspicious, and comfortable place, and, after consulting with all, a place where our wealth will be safe from all harm.
मात्स्यो विराटो बलवानभिरक्तोथ पाण्डवान्। धर्मशीलो वदान्यश्च वृद्धः सत्स्वपि संमतः ।। 13
The Matsya king Virata is powerful and well-disposed toward the Pandavas; he is righteous, generous, aged, and respected even among the virtuous.
गुणवाँल्लोकविख्यातो दृढभक्तिर्जितेन्द्रियः । तत्र मे रोचते पार्थ मत्स्यराजान्तिकेऽनघ ।। 14
He is virtuous, renowned among people, steadfast in devotion, and self-controlled; therefore, O sinless one, I am inclined toward staying near the Matsya king.
विराटनगरे तात मासान्द्वादशसंमितान्। कुर्वन्तस्तस्य कर्माणि वसामो यदि रोचते ।। 15
In the city of Virata, dear one, let us dwell for twelve months, performing his tasks, if it pleases you.
यानियानि च कर्माणि तस्य शक्ष्यामहे वयम्। कर्तुं यो यत्स तत्कर्म ब्रवीतु कुरुनन्दन ।। 16
Whatever tasks of his we are able to perform, let each say what he can do, O joy of the Kurus.
नरदेव कथं कर्म तस्य राष्ट्रे करिष्यसि । मनुजेन्द्र विराटस्य रंस्यसे केन कर्मणा ।। 17
O king, what work will you do in his kingdom? O lord of men, by what occupation will you find pleasure in Virata's realm?
अक्लिष्टवेषधारी च धार्मिको ह्यनसूयकः । न तवाभ्युचितं कर्म नृशंसं नापि कैतवम् ।। 18
You wear unblemished attire, are righteous and free from envy; cruel or deceitful work is not fitting for you.
सत्यवागसि याज्ञीको लोभक्रोधविवर्जितः । मृदुर्वदान्यो ह्रीमांश्च धार्मिकः सत्यविक्रमः ।। 19
You speak truth, perform sacrifices, are free from greed and anger, gentle, generous, modest, righteous, and steadfast in truth.
स राजंस्तपसा क्लिष्टः कथं तस्य करिष्यसि। न दुःखमुचितं किंचिद्राजन्पापमतेर्यथा। स इमामापदं प्राप्य कथं घोरां तरिष्यसि ।। 20
O king, you are afflicted by austerity—how will you serve him? Nothing painful or sinful is suitable for you; having come to this dire situation, how will you cross over it?
अर्जुनेनैवमुक्तस्तु प्रत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरः । शृणु त्वं यत्करिष्यामि कर्म वै कुरुनन्दन ।। 21
Thus addressed by Arjuna, Yudhishthira replied: 'Hear what work I shall do, O joy of the Kurus.'
विराटं समनुप्राप्य राजानं मात्स्यनन्दनम् । सभास्तारो भविष्यामि विराटस्येति मे मतिः ।। 22
Having reached Virata, the king, son of Matsya, I shall become the overseer of his assembly—such is my resolve.