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.
कङ्को नाम ब्रुवाणोऽहं मताक्षः साधुदेविता। वैडूर्यान्काञ्चनान्दानान्स्फाटिकान्राजतानपि ।। 23
Calling myself Kanka, a skilled gambler, I will offer fine gifts of beryl, gold, crystal, and silver dice.
कृष्णाक्षाँल्लोहिताक्षांश्च निवप्स्यामि मनोरमान्। अरिष्टान्राजगोलिङ्गान्दर्शनीयान्सुवर्चसः ।। 24
I will arrange beautiful dice—black-eyed, red-eyed, auspicious, royal, and splendid to behold.
लोहिताश्चाश्मगर्भाश्च सन्ति तात धनानि मे। दर्शनीयाः सभानन्दाः कुशलैः साधुनिष्ठिताः ।। 25
I possess precious stones, red and gem-encrusted, delightful to see, bringing joy to the assembly, and expertly crafted.
अप्येतान्पाणिना स्पृष्ट्वा संप्रहृष्यन्ति मानवाः ।। 26
Even by merely touching these with their hands, people are filled with delight.
तान्विकीर्य समे देशे रमणीये विपांसुले। देविष्यामि यथाकामं स विहारो भविष्यति ।। 27
Scattering them on a level, pleasant, and sandy spot, I will play as I wish; that will be my recreation.
कङ्को नाम्ना परिव्राट् च विराटस्य सभासदः। ज्योतिषे शकुनज्ञाने निमित्ते चाक्षकौशले । ब्राह्मे वेदे मयाऽधीते वेदाङ्गेषु च सर्वशः ।। 28
Known as Kanka, a wandering ascetic, I will be an attendant in Virata's court, skilled in astrology, omens, and dice, and learned in the Vedas and all their branches.
धर्मकामार्थमोक्षेषु नीतिशास्त्रेषु पारगः। पृष्टोऽहं कथयिष्यामि राज्ञः प्रियतमं वचः ।। 29
Accomplished in the sciences of righteousness, desire, wealth, and liberation, and in the treatises on polity, when questioned I will speak words most pleasing to the king.
आसं युधिष्ठिरस्याहं पुरा प्राणसमः सखा। इति वक्ष्यामि राजानं यदि मामनुयोक्ष्यते ।। 30
I will say, 'I was once the dearest friend of Yudhishthira, as dear as life itself,' if the king should ask me.
विराटनगरे छन्न एवं युक्तः सदा वसे। इत्येवं मे प्रतिज्ञातं विचरिष्याम्यहं यथा ।। 31
Thus, remaining concealed in the city of Virata, I will always act accordingly; this is my vow, and so I shall conduct myself.
एवं निर्दिश्य चात्मानं निश्वसन्नुष्णमार्तिजम् । विमुञ्चन्नश्रु नेत्राभ्यां भीमसेनमुवाच ह
Having thus described himself, sighing with the heat of sorrow, and shedding tears from his eyes, he spoke to Bhimasena.