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.
भीमसेन कथं कर्म मात्स्यराष्ट्रे करिष्यसि। हत्वा क्रोधवशांस्तत्र पर्वते गन्धमादने
Bhimasena, what work will you do in the kingdom of Matsya, you who, in anger, slew those on Mount Gandhamadana?
यक्षान्क्रोधाभिताम्राक्षान्राक्षसांश्चापि पौरुषात्। प्रादाः पाञ्चालकन्यायै पद्मानि सुबहून्यपि
With your might, you destroyed Yakshas, fierce and red-eyed with rage, and gave many lotuses to the princess of Panchala.
बकं राक्षसराजानं भीषणं पुरुषादकम् । जघ्निवानसि कौन्तेय ब्राह्मणार्थमरिन्दम। क्षेमा चाभयसंवीता सैकचक्रा त्वया कृता
You killed Baka, the dreadful cannibal king of the Rakshasas, O son of Kunti, for the sake of a Brahmin, O subduer of foes; and by you, the city of Ekachakra was made safe and secure.
हिडिम्बं च महावीर्यं किर्मीरं चैव राक्षसम्। त्वया हत्वा महाबाहो वनं निष्कण्टकं कृतम्
You slew the mighty Hidimba and also the Rakshasa Kirmira; by your great arms, you made the forest free of thorns.
आपदं चापि संप्राप्ता द्रौपदी चारुहासिनी । जटासुरवधं कृत्वा वयं च परिमोक्षिताः
When Draupadi of lovely smile was in danger, you killed Jatasura, and we were all rescued.
मत्स्यराजांन्तिके तात वीर्यपूर्णोऽत्यमर्षणः। वृकोदर विराटस्य बलीयान्दुर्बलीयसः। समीपे नगरे तस्य वत्स्यसे केन कर्मणा
O son, in the presence of the king of the Matsyas, full of strength and intolerant of insult, O wolf-bellied one, you will dwell near mighty and weak men alike in his city—by what work?
पौरोगवो ब्रुवाणोऽहं बल्लवो नाम नामतः । इति पाठः सूदोऽहं वललो नाम्ना सूपकारो नराधिप। उपस्थास्यामि राजानं विराटमिति रोचये
I will say I am a cook, known by the name Vallava; as a chef, I will serve King Virata—this is what I desire.
रसान्नानाविधांश्चापि स्वादूंश्च मधुरांस्तथा । सूपांश्चापि करिष्यामि कुशलोस्मि महानसे
I will prepare various kinds of delicious and sweet dishes and soups, for I am skilled in the kitchen.
कृतपूर्वाणि यान्यस्य व्यञ्जनानि सुशिक्षितैः । तान्यप्यभिभविष्यामि प्रीतिं संजनयन्नहम्
Even those dishes which have been previously prepared by others, well-trained in their craft, I shall surpass, winning favor for myself.
पूर्वमप्राशितांस्तेन कर्ता रसगुणान्वितान् । स्वादु व्यञ्जनमास्वाद्य मात्स्यः प्रीतो भविष्यति
Having tasted the flavorful and delicious dishes, never before eaten by him, the king of the Matsyas will be pleased.