गजेन्द्रलीलो मृगराजगामी वृषेक्षणो देवसुतोग्रतेजाः। पीनांसबाहुः कनकावदातः कोऽयं नरो मे नगरं प्रविष्टः ।। 6
With the bearing of an elephant, the stride of a lion, eyes like a bull, divine radiance, broad shoulders and arms, shining like gold—who is this man who has entered my city?
किमेष देवेन्द्रसुतः किमेष ब्रह्मात्मजो वा किमयं स्वयंभूः। उमासुतो वैश्रवणात्मजो वा प्रेक्ष्यैनमासीदिति मे वितर्कः ।। 7
Is he the son of Indra? Or perhaps the son of Brahma? Or is he the self-born one? Is he the son of Uma, or of Vaishravana? Seeing him, I am filled with such thoughts.
सभामतिक्रम्य स वासवोपमो निरीक्षमाणो बहुभिः सभागतैः। स तत्र राजनममित्रहाऽब्रवीद्बृहन्नलाहं नरदेव नर्तकी ।। 8
Then, surpassing the assembly like Vasava himself, observed by the many gathered there, he spoke to the king, 'O ruler of men, I am Brihannala, a dancer.'
वेणीं प्रकुर्यां रुचिरे च कुण्डले ग्रथे स्रजः प्रावरणानि संहरे। स्नानं चरेयं विमृजे च दर्पणं विशेषकेष्वेव च कौशलं मम ।। 9
I can braid hair, adorn with beautiful earrings, weave garlands, arrange garments; I can bathe, polish mirrors, and I am skilled in all the arts of adornment.
क्लीबेषु बालेषु जनेषु नर्तने शिक्षाप्रदानेषु च योग्यता मम। करोमि वेणीषु च पुष्पपूरकं न मे स्त्रियः कर्मणि कौशलाधिकाः ।। 10
Among eunuchs, children, and people, I am adept at teaching dance; I can fill braids with flowers, and in the work of women, none surpass me in skill.
इत्यर्जुनस्तं नरदेवमोजसा विज्ञाप्य तस्थौ विधिनाऽऽत्मनः क्रियाम्। तमब्रवीत्प्रांशुमुदीक्ष्य विस्मितो विराटराजोपसृतं महायशाः ।। 11
Thus did Arjuna, with energy, declare his abilities to the king and stood there as prescribed; and the illustrious King Virata, gazing at him in wonder, addressed him.
नार्हस्तु वेषोऽयमनूर्जितस्ते नापुंस्त्वमर्हं नरदेवसिंह । तवैव वेषः शुभवेषभूषणैर्विभूषितो भूतपतेरिव प्रभो ।। 12
This attire does not suit you, nor does effeminacy befit you, O lion among kings; your very appearance, adorned with auspicious ornaments, is like that of the lord of beings, O master.
विभाति भानोरिव रश्मिमालिनो घनावरुद्धे गगने घनैरिव। धनुर्हि मन्ये तव शोभयेद्भुजौ तथाहि पीनावतिमात्रमायतौ ।। 13
You shine like the sun wreathed in rays, even when the sky is covered with clouds; I think a bow would suit your strong, long arms, for they are thick and of great length.
प्रगृह्य चापं त्वनुरूपमात्मनो रक्षस्व देशं पुरमद्य सुस्थिरः। पुत्रेण तुल्यो भव मे बृहन्नले वृद्धोस्मि वित्तं प्रतिपादयामि ते ।। 14
Take up a bow worthy of yourself and protect this land and city with firmness; be to me as a son, O Brihannala, for I am old, and I will grant you wealth.
त्वं रक्ष मे सर्वमिदं पुरं प्रभो न षण्डतां कांचन लक्षयामि ते। प्रशाधि मत्स्यांस्तरसा विवर्धयन्ददामि राज्यं तव सत्यवागहम् ।। 15
Guard all my city, O lord; I see no trace of effeminacy in you. Rule over the Matsyas, increase their prosperity swiftly, and I promise you the kingdom, for I am true to my word.
तस्याग्रतः स्वानि धनूंषि पार्थिवो बहूनि दीर्घाणि च वर्णवन्ति च। ददौ स सज्यानि बलान्वितानि जिज्ञासमानः किमयं करिष्यति ।। 16
Then, before him, the king presented many fine, long, and splendid bows, already strung and strong, wishing to test what this man would do.
ततोऽर्जुनः क्लीबतरं वचोऽब्रवीन्न मे धनुर्धारितमीदृशं विभो। न चापि दृष्टं धनुरीदृशं क्वचिन्न मादृशाः सन्ति धनुर्धरा भुवि ।। 17
But Arjuna spoke in a softer voice: 'O lord, I have never wielded such a bow, nor have I ever seen one like this; there are no bowmen like me on earth.'
नृत्याम गायामि च वादयाम्यहं प्रानर्तने कौशलनैपुणं मम। तदुत्तरायाः परिधत्स्व नर्तने भवामि देव्या नरदेव नर्तकी ।। 18
I dance, I sing, I play instruments; in the art of dancing, I am skilled and accomplished. Therefore, let Uttara wear the upper garment; I will be the queen's dancer, O king.
ददामि ते तं हि वरं बृहन्नले सुतां हि मे नर्तय याश्च तादृशीः । ततो विराटः स्वयमाह्वयत्सुतां नराधिपस्तां च सुमध्यसुन्दरीम् ।। 19
I grant you this boon, Brihannala: teach my daughter to dance, and others like her.' Then King Virata himself summoned his daughter, that slender-waisted beauty.
उवाच चैनां मुदितेन चेतसा बृहन्नला नाम सखी भवत्वियम्। सुगात्रि संप्रीतिसुबद्धसौहृदा तवाङ्गने प्राणसमा च नित्यदा ।। 20
With a joyful heart, she said, 'Let this woman be your companion named Brihannala, O fair-limbed one. She is bound to you by deep affection and is as dear as life itself, ever devoted to you.'
प्रकामभक्ष्याभरणाम्बरा शुभा चरत्वियं सर्वजनेष्ववारिता। न दुष्कुलानामियमाकृतिर्भवेन्न वृत्तभेदी भवतीदृशो जनः ।। 21
She is adorned with abundant food, ornaments, and garments, and moves freely among all people without restraint. Such a bearing does not belong to those of low birth, nor does one of your kind act contrary to proper conduct.
संमन्त्र्य राजा विविधैः स्वमन्त्रिभिः परीक्ष्य चैनं प्रमदाभिराशु वै। अपुंस्त्वमप्यस्य निशम्य च स्थिरं ततः कुमारीपुरमुत्ससर्ज तम् ।। 22
The king, after consulting with his various counselors and having her swiftly examined by the women, and hearing with certainty of her impotence, then assigned her to the women's quarters.
स शिक्षयामास च गीतवदनं सुतां विराटस्य धनंजयः प्रभुः । सखीश्च तस्याः परिचारिकास्तथा प्रियश्च तस्याः स बभूव पाण्डवः ।। 23
There, Dhananjaya, the mighty Arjuna, taught King Virata's daughter the arts of song and music; he also became dear to her, as well as to her companions and attendants, acting as their beloved friend.
तथा स तत्रैव धनंजयोऽवसत्प्रियाणि कुर्वन्त्सह ताभिरात्मवान्। तथा गतं तत्र न जझिरे जना बहिश्चरा वाऽप्यथवेतरे जनाः ।। 24
Thus, Dhananjaya dwelled there, self-controlled, performing pleasing acts together with them; and so, no one there suspected anything, nor did those outside or any others.
अथापरोऽदृश्यत पाण्डवः प्रभुर्विराटराजे तुरगान्समीक्षति। तमापतन्तं ददृशुः पृथग्जनाः प्रमुक्तमभ्रादिव चन्द्रमण्डलम् ।। 1
Then another mighty Pandava was seen, observing the horses of King Virata; as he approached, the people saw him like the full moon emerging from the clouds.
स वै हयानैक्षत तानितस्ततः समीक्षमाणं च ददर्श मत्स्यराट्। दृष्ट्वा तथैनं स कुरूत्तमं तमः पप्रच्छ तान्सर्बसभासदस्तदा ।। 2
He examined the horses here and there, and as he was doing so, the king of the Matsyas noticed him; seeing that foremost of the Kurus, he asked all those present in the assembly about him.
को वा विजानाति पुराऽस्य दर्शनं योऽयं युवाऽभ्येति हि मासिकां सभाम् प्रियो हि मे दर्शनतोपि संमतो ब्रवीतु कश्चिद्यदि दृष्टवानिमम् ।। 3
'Who knows this young man, whose appearance is new to us, as he enters the monthly assembly? He is pleasing to me even at first sight; if anyone has seen him before, let them speak.'
अयं हयान्पश्यति मामकान्मुहुर्ध्रुवं हयज्ञो भविता विचक्षणः। प्रवेश्यतामेष समीपमाशु वै विभाति वीरो हि यथाऽमरस्तथा ।। 4
'He keeps looking at my horses again and again; surely, he is an expert in horse-sacrifice. Let him be brought near at once, for he shines like a hero, as if he were a god.'
वितर्कयत्येव हि मत्स्यराजनि त्वरन्कुरूणामृषभः सभामगात्। ततः प्रणम्योपनतः कुरूत्तमो विराटराजानमुवाच पार्थिवम् ।। 5
While the king of the Matsyas was pondering, the bull among the Kurus entered the assembly with haste; then, after bowing and approaching, that foremost of the Kurus addressed King Virata.
तवागतोऽहं पुरमद्य भूपते जिजीविषुर्वेतनभोजनार्थिकः। तवाश्वबन्धः सुभृतो भवाम्यहं कुरुष्व मामश्वपतिं यदीच्छसि ।। 6
'O king, I have come to your city today, seeking life, wages, and food. Let me be your well-kept horse-keeper; appoint me as master of the horses, if you wish.'
ददानि यानानि धनानि वेतनं न चाश्वसूतो भवितुं त्वमर्हसि। कुतोसि कस्यामि कथं त्वमागतो ब्रवीहि शिल्पं तव विद्यते च यत् ।। 7
'I will give you vehicles, wealth, and wages, but you should not be a mere horse-keeper. Tell me, where are you from, whose are you, how did you come here, and what skill do you possess?'
पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणां ज्येष्ठो राजा युधिष्ठिरः। तेनाहमश्वेषु पुरा प्रकृतः शत्रुकर्शन ।। 8
'I was formerly in charge of horses for King Yudhishthira, the eldest of the five sons of Pandu, O subduer of foes.'
अश्वानां प्रकृतिं वेद्मि विनयं चापि सर्वशः । दुष्टानां प्रतिपत्तिं च कृत्स्नं चैव चिकित्सितम् ।। 9
'I know the nature of horses and all their training; I understand fully how to manage the unruly and all methods of treatment.'
न कातरं स्यान्मम वाजिवाहनं न मेऽस्ति दुष्टा बडवा कुतो हयः। जानंस्तु मामाह स चापि पाण्डवो युधिष्ठिरो ग्रन्थिकमेव नामतः ।। 10
'No horse or mare under my care becomes timid or vicious; Yudhishthira the Pandava knows me only by the name Granthika.'
मातलिरिव देवपतेर्दशरथनृपतेः सुमत्र इव यन्ता। सुमह इव जामदग्रेस्तथैव तव शिक्षयाम्यश्वान् ।। 11
'As Mātali is charioteer to the lord of the gods, and Sumantra to King Dasharatha, and as Jāmadagni's son had Sumaha, so will I train your horses.'