पञ्चानां पाण्डुपुत्राणां ज्येष्ठो राजा युधिष्ठिरः। तस्याष्टौ शतसाहस्रं गवां वर्गाः शतंशतम् ।। 16
Among the five sons of Pandu, the eldest, King Yudhishthira, possessed one hundred groups of eight hundred thousand cows each.
अपरे दशसाहस्रा द्विस्तावन्तस्तथा परे। तेषां गोसङ्ख्य आसं वै तन्त्रीपालेति मां विदुः ।। 17
There were other groups numbering ten thousand, and twice as many elsewhere; people knew me as Tantripala, the keeper of the cows.
भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च यच्चान्यद्गोगतं क्वचित्। न मेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचित्समन्ताद्दशयोजनम् ।। 18
Whatever has been, is, or will be, and anything else related to cows anywhere within a radius of ten yojanas, nothing is unknown to me.
गुणाः सुविदिता ह्यासन्मया तस्य महात्मनः। आसीच्च स मया तुष्टः कुरुराजो युधिष्ठिरः ।। 19
I was well acquainted with the virtues of that great soul; King Yudhishthira of the Kurus was pleased with me.
अनेन गणिता गावो दुर्विज्ञेया महत्तराः। बहुक्षीरतरास्ता वै बह्व्यः सत्यः सपुत्रिकाः ।। 20
By this calculation, the cows are vast and difficult to comprehend; many are rich in milk, numerous, truthful, and with calves.
क्षिप्रं च गावो बहुला भवन्ति न तासु रोगो भवतीह कश्चित्। तैस्तैरुपयैर्विदितं मयैतदेतानि शिल्पानि मयि स्थितानि ।। 21
The cows quickly become abundant, and none among them suffer from disease; by various means I know this, and these skills reside in me.
ऋषभानपि जानामि राजन्पूजितलक्षणान्। येषां मूत्रमुपाघ्राय वन्ध्या अपि प्रसूयते ।। 22
I also know the bulls, O king, with honored qualities; by smelling their urine, even barren cows become fertile.
मत्स्याधिपो हर्षकलेन चेतसा माद्रीसुतं पाण्डवमभ्यभाषत। नैवानुमन्ये तव कर्म कुत्सितं महीं समग्रामभिपातुमर्हसि ।। 23
The king of the Matsyas, with a joyful heart, addressed the Pandava, son of Madri: 'I do not approve your lowly task; you deserve to rule the whole earth.'
अथ त्विदानीं तव रोचते विभो यथेष्टतो गव्यमवेक्ष मामकम्। त्वदर्पणा मे पशवो भवन्तु वै पशून्सपालान्भवते ददाम्यहम् ।। 24
But now, O mighty one, if you wish, examine my cattle as you please; let my livestock be under your care, I give you the animals and their herdsmen.
शतं सहस्राणि गवां हि सन्ति वर्णस्यवर्णस्य पृथग्गणानाम्। ददामि तेऽहं वरमीप्सितं च यत्त्वदर्पणा मे पशवो भवन्त्विति ।। 25
There are hundreds of thousands of cows, each group distinct; I grant you your desired boon, let my livestock be under your supervision.
एवं विराटेन समेत्य पाण्डवो लब्ध्वा च गोबल्लवतां यथेष्टतः। अज्ञातचर्यामवसन्महात्मा यथा रविश्चास्तगिरिं प्रविष्टः ।। 26
Thus, having met with Virata, the Pandava obtained the position of chief herdsman as he wished; the great soul lived in disguise, like the sun entering the mountain.
एवं विराटे न्यवसंश्च पाण्डवा यथा प्रतिज्ञाभिरमोघविक्रमाः । अबुद्धचर्यां चरितुं यथातथं समुद्रनेमीमभिशास्तुमुद्यताः ।। 27
Thus the Pandavas dwelt with Virata, as pledged, with unfailing valor; they lived incognito, striving as if to reach the rim of the ocean.
ततः कृष्णा सुकेशी सा दर्शनीया शुचिस्मिता। वेणीकेशान्समुत्क्षिप्य पीनवृत्तकुचा शुभा । जुगूहे दक्षिणे पार्श्वे मृदूनसितलोचना ।। 1
Then Krishna, with beautiful hair, lovely to behold and pure in smile, lifting her braided hair and full, rounded breasts, concealed herself at her right side, her eyes soft and cool.
वासश्च परिधायैकं कृष्णा सुमलिनं महत्। कृत्वा वेषं च सैरन्ध्र्याः कृष्णा व्यचरदार्तवत् ।। 2
Krishna put on a single, large, soiled garment, adopting the attire of Sairandhri, and wandered about in distress.
प्रविष्टा नगरं भीरूः सैरन्ध्रीवेषसंयुता। तां नराः परिधावन्तः स्त्रियश्च समुपाद्रवन् ।। 3
Entering the city, timid and dressed as Sairandhri, men and women rushed toward her.
अपृच्छंस्ते च तां दृष्ट्वा का त्वं किं च चिकीर्षसि। सा तानुवाच राजेन्द्र सैरन्ध्र्यहमुपागता। कर्म चेच्छामि वै कर्तुं तस्य या मां भरिष्यति ।। 4
Seeing her, they asked, 'Who are you, and what do you wish to do?' She replied to them, 'O king, I have come as Sairandhri; I wish to serve whoever will employ me.'
तस्या रूपेण वेषेण श्लक्ष्णया च गिरा तथा। न श्रद्दधानास्तां देवीमन्नहेतोरुपस्थिताम् ।। 5
Because of her appearance, attire, and gentle speech, they did not believe that the goddess had come seeking food.
विराटस्य तु कैकेयी भार्या परमसंमता। आलोकयन्ती ददृशे प्रासादाद्द्रुपदात्मजाम् ।। 6
Virata's wife, Kaikeyi, highly esteemed, saw her from the palace and recognized the daughter of Drupada.
सा समीक्ष्य तथारूपामनाथामेकवाससम्। स्त्रीभिश्च पुरुषैश्चापि सर्वतः परिवारिताम् ।। 7
She, appearing thus—unprotected and clad in a single garment, surrounded on all sides by women and men—was observed.
विराटभार्या तां देवी कारुण्याज्जातसंभ्रमा। अप्रेषयत्समीपस्थाः स्त्रियो वृद्धाश्च तत्पराः ।। 8
The queen of Virata, that noble lady, moved by compassion and suddenly concerned, sent for the elderly women who were nearby.
अपनीय ततः सर्वा आनयध्वमिहैव ताम्। यदा दृष्टा मया साध्वी कम्पते मे मनस्तदा। तस्माच्छीघ्रमिहानाय दर्शयध्वं यदीच्छथ ।। 9
Remove everyone from here and bring her at once; whenever I see that virtuous woman, my mind is disturbed—so quickly bring her here and present her, if you wish.
तास्तथोक्ता उपागम्य द्रौपदीं परिसंगताः। आनीय सर्वथा त्वेनामब्रुवन्मधुराक्षरम् ।। 10
Thus instructed, those women approached Draupadi, gathered around her, brought her in every way, and addressed her with gentle words.
भद्रे त्वां द्रष्टुमिच्छन्ती सुदेष्णा हर्म्यभूतले। त्वदर्थं प्रैषयच्चास्मान्द्रष्टुं तां त्वं यदीच्छसि। आयाह्यस्माभिरेवाद्य रक्ष्यमाणा यथेष्टतः ।। 11
Good lady, Queen Sudeshna wishes to see you in the palace; she has sent us for your sake. If you desire to meet her, come with us today, protected as you wish.
तच्छ्रुत्वा द्रौपदी तासां वचनं वाक्यकोविदा। ईप्सितर्थातिलाभेन हृष्टाऽऽयाता गृहोत्तमम् ।। 12
Hearing their words, Draupadi—skilled in speech—was delighted at obtaining her desired aim, and went to the splendid palace.
राजवेश्म ह्युपाक्रम्य यत्राग्र्यमहिषी स्थिता। सुदेष्णामगमत्कृष्णा राजभार्यां यशस्विनीम् ।। 13
Entering the royal residence, where the chief queen was present, Krishna approached Sudeshna, the illustrious royal wife.
कृष्णान्केशान्मृदून्दीर्घान्समुद्ग्रथ्यासितेक्षणा। कुञ्चिताग्रांस्तु सूक्ष्माग्रान्दर्शनीयान्निबध्य च। जुगूहे दक्षिणे पार्श्वे मृदूनायतलोचना ।। 14
Krishna, with soft and long hair, dark-eyed, gathered her curling and fine-tipped tresses, tied them up, and concealed them on her right side—she of gentle, wide eyes.
सा प्रविश्य विराटस्य द्रौपद्यन्तःपुरं शुभा। ह्रीनिषेवान्विता बाला कम्पमाना लतेव सा ।। 15
That noble girl, modest and reserved, entered the inner chambers of King Virata, trembling like a delicate vine.
अभिगम्य च सुश्रोणी सर्वलक्षणसंयुता। ददर्शावस्थितां हैमे पीठे रत्नपरिच्छदे ।। 16
Approaching, that fair-hipped woman, adorned with all auspicious marks, saw Sudeshna seated on a golden throne inlaid with jewels.
रक्तसूक्ष्माम्बरधरां मेघे सौदामिनीमिव । नानावर्णविचित्रां च सर्वाभरणभूषिताम् ।। 17
Clad in fine red garments, adorned with various colors and all kinds of ornaments, she shone like lightning on a cloud.
सुभ्रूं सुकेशीं सुश्रोणीं कुब्जवामनमध्यगाम्। बहुपुष्पोपकीर्णायां भूम्यां वेदिमिवाध्वरे ।। 18
With beautiful brows, lovely hair, and graceful hips, she approached the queen, who was surrounded by many flowers, like an altar in a sacrifice upon the earth.