एवं स लब्ध्वा नृपतिः समागमं विराटराजेन नरर्षभस्तदा। उवास वीरः परमार्चितः सुखी न चास्य कश्चिच्चरितं बुबोध तत् ।। 54
Having thus obtained the king's company, the bull among men, honored supremely, dwelled happily with King Virata, and no one discerned his true identity.
अथापरस्यां दिशि भीमदर्शनो वृकोदरोऽदृश्यत सिंहविक्रमः। असिप्रवेके प्रतिमुच्य शाणिते खजां च दर्वी च करेण धारयन् ।। 1
Meanwhile, in another direction, Bhima—wolf-bellied, lion-like in stride—was seen, bearing a sharpened sword at his side and a ladle in his hand.
त्वचं च गोचर्ममयीं सुमर्दितां समुक्षितां पानकरागषाडवैः । किलासमालम्ब्य करेण चायसं सशृङ्गिबेरार्द्रकभूस्तृणाङ्कुरम् ।। 2
He carried a well-cured ox-hide, thoroughly softened and stained with the dregs of drinks, and in his hand, an iron staff, along with ginger, fresh grass, and shoots.
गम्भीररूपः परमेण तेजसा रविर्यथा लोकमिमं प्रकाशयन्। स कृष्णवासा गिरिराजसारवान् स मत्स्यराजं समुपेत्य तस्थिवान् ।। 3
Of deep form and supreme energy, shining like the sun illuminating this world, clad in black garments, adorned with mountain-like arms, he approached and stood before the king of the Matsyas.
सभागतो वारणयूथपोपमस्तमिस्रहा रात्रिमिवावभासयन्। सहस्रनेत्रावरजान्तकोपमस्त्रिलोकपालाधिपतिर्यथा हरिः ।। 4
Entering the assembly like a leader of elephant herds, dispelling gloom like the night lit up, he resembled the younger brother of the thousand-eyed one, or Hari, lord of the guardians of the three worlds.
तमाव्रजन्तं गजयूथपोपमं निरीक्षमाणो नवसूर्यवर्चसम्। भयात्समुद्विग्नविपण्णचेतनो दिशश्च सर्वाः प्रसमीक्ष्य चासकृत् ।। 5
Seeing him approach, like a lordly elephant, radiant as the newly risen sun, the king, his mind disturbed by fear, repeatedly glanced in all directions.
तमेकवस्त्रं परसैन्यवारणं सभाऽविदूरान्नृपतिर्नृपात्मजम्। समीक्ष्य वैक्लब्यमुपेयिवाञ्शनैर्जनाश्च भीताः परिसर्पिरे भृशम् ।। 6
Beholding that single-clad, enemy-subduing prince, not far from the assembly, the king grew anxious, and the people, greatly frightened, began to scatter.
अथाब्रवीन्मात्स्यपतिः सभागतान् भृशातुरोष्णं परिनिश्वसन्निव । कोऽयं युवा वारणराजसन्निभः सभामभिप्रैति हि मामिकामिमाम् ।। 7
Then the king of the Matsyas, greatly agitated and sighing hotly, spoke to those in the assembly: 'Who is this youth, resembling a lordly elephant, who now approaches my assembly?'
को वा विजानाति पुराऽस्य दर्शनं मृगेन्द्रशार्दूलगतिं हि मामकः। व्यूढान्तरांसो मृगराडिवोत्कटो य एष दिव्यः पुरुषः प्रकाशते ।। 8
Who indeed knows when this one was seen before? With the gait of a lion or tiger, my own man stands here; his broad shoulders are arrayed like a mighty beast, and this radiant man appears before us.
राजश्रिया ह्येष विभाति राजवद्विरोचते रुक्मगिरिप्रभोपमः। नाक्षत्रियो नूनमयं भविष्यति सहस्रनेत्रप्रतिमस्तथा ह्यसौ ।। 9
He shines with royal splendor, resplendent like a king, his brilliance like a golden mountain; surely, he cannot be a mere commoner—he resembles the thousand-eyed god himself.
रूपेण यश्चाप्रतिमो ह्ययं महान्महीमिमां शत्रः इवाभिपालयेत्। नाभूमिपोऽयं हि रतिर्ममेति च च्युतः समृद्ध्या नभसीव नाहुषः ।। 10
This great one, unmatched in form, could guard this whole earth like a foe; he is not a king, nor do I delight in him—he has fallen from prosperity, like Nahusha cast down from the sky.
वितर्कमाणस्य च तस्य पाण्डवः सभामतिक्रम्य वृकोदरोऽब्रवीत्। जयेति राजानमभिप्रमोदयन्सुखेन सभ्यं च सभागतं जनम् ।। 11
As the king pondered thus, Vrikodara, having entered the assembly, addressed the king, joyfully exclaiming 'Victory!' and gladdening both the king and all those present.
ततो नृपं वाक्यमुवाच पाण्डवो यथाऽनुपूर्व्यात्कृपयान्वितोत्तरम्। त्वां जीवितुं शत्रुहन्नागतोऽहं त्वमेव लोके परमो हि संश्रयः ।। 12
Then the Pandava spoke to the king, with words in proper order, filled with compassion: 'I have come, O slayer of foes, so that you may live; for you alone are the highest refuge in this world.'
नरेन्द्र शूद्रोस्मि चतुर्थवर्णभाग्गुरूपदेशात्परिचारकर्मकृत्। जानामि सूपांश्च रसांश्च संस्कृतान्मांसान्यपूपांश्च पचामि शोभनान् । रागप्रकाराश्च बहून्फलाश्रयान्महानसे मे न समोस्ति सूपकृत् ।। 13
O king, I am a Shudra, belonging to the fourth class, performing service as instructed by my elders; I know how to prepare soups and sauces, I cook meats and fine cakes, and I am skilled in many fruit-based dishes—there is no one in the kitchen who surpasses me in cooking.
तमब्रवीन्मत्स्यपतिः प्रहृष्टवत्प्रियं प्रगल्भं मधुरं विनीतवत्। न शूद्रतां कांचन लक्षयामि ते कुबेरचन्द्रेन्द्रदिवाकरप्रभ ।। 14
The king of the Matsyas replied to him, delighted, with kind, bold, sweet, and humble words: 'I see no sign of Shudra status in you, whose radiance is like Kubera, the moon, Indra, or the sun.'
हुताशनाशीविषतुल्यतेजसो न कर्म ते योग्यमिदं महानसे । न सूपकारो भवितुं त्वमर्हसि सुपर्णगन्धर्वमहोरगोपम ।। 15
Your brilliance is like fire or a venomous serpent; such work in the kitchen is not fitting for you. You should not be a cook, who are like Suparna, a Gandharva, or a great serpent.
अनीककर्णाग्रधरो ध्वजी रथी भवाद्य मे वारणवाहिनीपतिः। न नीचकर्मा भवितुं त्वमर्हसि प्रशासितुं भूमिमिमां त्वमर्हसि ।। 16
Today, you should be my commander, bearing weapons, with banners and chariots, leading my elephant army; you are not suited for lowly work—you are worthy to rule this earth.
चतुर्थवर्णोस्म्यहमुग्रशासन न वै वृणे त्वामहमीदृशं पदम्। जात्याऽस्मि शूद्रो बललेति नाम्ना जिजीविषुस्त्वद्विषयं समागतः ।। 17
I am of the fourth class, O stern ruler, and do not seek such a position from you; by birth I am a Shudra, named Ballava, and I have come to your land wishing only to live.
युधिष्ठिरस्यास्मि महानसे पुरा बभूव सर्वप्रभुरन्नपानदः। अथापि मामुत्सृजसे महीपते व्रजाम्यहं यावदितो यथागतम् ।। 18
I was once the chief cook in Yudhishthira's household, providing all food and drink; but if you dismiss me, O king, I shall depart from here as I came.
त्वमन्नसंस्कारविधौ प्रशाधि मां भवामि तेऽहं नरदेव सूपकृत् । बलेन तुल्यश्च न विद्यते मया नियुद्धशीलोस्मि सदा हि पार्थिव ।। 19
Command me in the preparation of food, O king, and I shall be your cook; there is no one equal to me in strength, and I am always skilled in wrestling, O ruler.
गजांश्च सिंहांश्च समेयिवानहं सदा करिष्यामि तवानघ प्रियम्। न नीचकर्मा तव मादृशः प्रभो बलस्य नेताऽप्यबलो भवेदिति ।। 20
I have subdued elephants and lions, and will always do what pleases you, O faultless one; a man like me is not fit for lowly work, for even a leader of the strong may become powerless.
स्वकर्मतुष्टाश्च वयं नराधिप प्रशाधि मां सूदपदे यदीच्छसि। ये सन्ति मल्ला बलवीर्यसंमतास्तानेव योत्स्यामि तवाभिहर्पयन् ।। 21
We are content with our own duties, O king; command me in the role of cook, if you wish. I will challenge those wrestlers who are esteemed for their strength and valor.
तमेवमुक्ते वचने नराधिपः प्रत्यब्रवीन्मत्स्यपतिः प्रहृष्टवत्। सोहं न मन्ये तव कर्म तत्समं समुद्रनेमिं पृथिवीं त्वमर्हसि ।। 22
When he had spoken thus, the king of the Matsyas, delighted, replied: 'I do not consider such work fitting for you; you are worthy to rule the earth, like the rim of the ocean.'
त्रिलोकपालो हि यथा विराजसे तथाऽद्य मे विष्णुरिवातिरोचसे। यथा तु कामस्तव तत्तथा कृतं महानसे मे भव मे पुरस्कृतः । नराश्च मे तत्र मया सदाऽर्चिता भवाद्य तेषामधिपो मया कृतः ।। 23
Just as the lord of the three worlds shines, so do you appear to me today like Vishnu; but as you wish, so it shall be—be my chief cook. The men there have always been honored by me, and today I appoint you as their leader.
तथा स भीमो विहितो महानसे विराटराजस्य बभूव वै प्रियः। उवास राजन्न च तं पृथग्जनो बुबोध तस्यानुचरश्च कश्चन ।। 24
Thus Bhima was appointed as the chief cook in King Virata's kitchen and became dear to the king; he lived there, and no one recognized him, nor did any attendant suspect him.
अथापरोऽदृश्यत वर्णवान्युवा स्त्रीवेषधारी समलंकृतो भृशम्। प्रवालचित्रे प्रविमुच्य कुण्डले उभे च कम्बू परिपातुके तथा ।। 1
Then another appeared, youthful and radiant, dressed as a woman and richly adorned, with earrings shining like coral, and both arms adorned with conch bracelets.
कृष्णे च रक्ते च निबध्य वाससी शरीरवाञ्शुक्रबृहस्पतिप्रभः। बहूंश्च दीर्घांश्च विकीर्य मूर्धजान्महाभुजो मत्तगजेन्द्रविक्रमः ।। 2
Clad in garments of crimson and black, with his body shining like Shukra or Brihaspati, scattering his long, thick hair, that mighty-armed one strode forth with the gait of a maddened elephant.
क्लैब्येन वेषेण न भति भाति च ग्रहाभिपन्नो नभसीव चन्द्रमाः । गतेन चोर्वी परिकम्पयंस्तदा विराटमासाद्य सभासमीपतः ।। 3
Though dressed in the guise of a eunuch, he did not appear so; rather, he shone like the moon beset by planets in the sky, and as he walked, he seemed to make the earth tremble, approaching King Virata near the assembly hall.
तं प्रेक्ष्य राजोपगतं सभातले व्याजाप्रतिच्छन्नममित्रमर्दनम् । विराजमानं सुरराजवर्चसं सुतं सुरेन्द्रस्य गजेन्द्रविक्रमम् ।। 4
Seeing him enter the assembly hall, disguised yet truly a subduer of foes, radiant with the splendor of the king of the gods, the son of Indra, possessing the strength of a lordly elephant—
सर्वानपृच्छच्च समीपचारिणः कुतोऽयमायाति न मे पुरा श्रुतः। न चैनमूचुर्विदितं नरास्तदा सविस्मयं वाक्यमिदं नृपोऽब्रवीत् ।। 5
The king questioned all those nearby: 'Who is this man who has come? I have never heard of him before.' But none of the men present could say who he was, and the king, astonished, spoke these words.