वैवाहिक पर्व — उत्तरा के विवाह का प्रस्ताव

Virata said If this be the king of Kurus, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, who, amongst those is his brother Arjuna and who the powerful Bhima?

Which of them is Nakula, who Sahadeva and where is the illustrious Draupadi? From the time of their defeat at dice, the sons of Pritha have not been known by any.

Arjuna said This one, O king, your cook, known as Ballava, is Bhima of dreadful prowess and energy.

It was he who, having killed the angry Rakshasas on the Gandhamadana mountain, secured for Draupadi fragrant celestials flowers.

He is the Gandharva who killed the wicked-souled Kichaka's, and it was he who slew the tigers, bears, and boars in your inner apartment.

He, who is the keeper of your horses is Nakula, the slayer of horses. The one, in charge of your kine, is Sahadeva. Both the sons of Madri are great car-warriors.

Adorned with beautiful ornaments and robes, and illustrious, these two foremost of Bharatas are capable of withstanding a thousand car-warrior.

This lotus-eyed, beautiful, waited Sairandhri, of sweet smiles, is Draupadi, O king, for whom the Kichakas were slain.

I am Arjuna, Oking. You might have heard that I am the son of Pritha, the younger brother of Bhima and the elder brother of the twins.

We have spend happily the period of our exile, undiscovered, in your house, like creatures living in the womb.

Vaishampayana said After Arjuna had spoken of the five heroic sons of Pandu, the son of Virata then described his prowess. Uttara, too, again identified the sons of Pritha. (He said):

The one, whose complexion is like pure gold, who is of developed proportions like a huge lion, whose eyes are expansive and coppery, whose nose is high, is the king of the Kurus.

He, who courses like an infuriated elephant, whose complexion is bright like burning gold, whose shoulders are expansive, whose arms are long and heavy, is Vrikodara.

And that youthful hero, of dark blue colour, O great bowman, who stands by him, who is like an elephant-chief, who is high like a lion and courses like an elephant, and has lotus-eyes, is Arjuna.

Those two foremost of men, who are near the king, are the twins. They are equal to Vishnu and Mahendra. In this world, there is none equal to them in beauty, strength and accomplishments.

Near them is Draupadi, having the hue of gold. Her complexion is an embodiment of brightness, her eyes are like dark-blue lotuses, and she is like the very goddess of prosperity (Lakshmi).

Having thus pointed out those five sons of Pandu and Pritha to the king, the son of Virata, then began to describe the prowess of Arjuna.

It was he who slew the enemies, like a lion killing the deer. He moved about on the cars, killing the car-warriors.

A huge elephant was pierced with a shaft and killed by him. That one of huge tusks, and bedecked with gold, fell down on earth.

By him the kine have been rescued, the Kurus vanquished; and, by the sound of his conch, my ears were deafened.

Hearing the words of Uttara, the powerful king of of Matsya's, who had insulted Yudhishthira, said to him.

Methinks, the time has come to propitiate the Pandavas. If you like I shall confer Uttara (my daughter) upon Arjuna.

Uttara said Methinks, the time has come for honoring the illustrious sons of Pandu, who are worthy of honour, respect and adoration.”

Virata said When I passed into the hands of the enemies in battle, it was Bhimasena who saved me and rescued the kine.

By their prowess, we have won victory in battle. Along with our ministers, we shall propitiate the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, the foremost of Pandavas, together with his younger brothers. (He then said to him): "May good betide you. O king, If I we have unwittingly given you any offence, you should forgive me for all that. The son of Pandu is virtuous-souled.

Vaishampayana said Then noble Virata, made an alliance wit the king and offered him the entire kingdom together with his scepter, treasury and city.

Then addressing all the Pandavas and particularly Dhananjaya, the king of Matsya's, again and again, said "Oh good fortune."

Then, having repeatedly embraced and smelt the heads of Yudhishthira, Bhima and the two sons of Madri,

Virata, the lord of armies, was not satiated with seeing them. He, then delightedly, said to the king Yudhishthira.

"By good luck, I have got you, all safe from the forest. And by good luck, it is that you spent the period of exile, undiscovered by these wicked ones.

I make a gift of this my kingdom and what else I have, to the sons of Pritha. May they accept it without any hesitation.

Let Savyasachin, Dhananjaya, accept Uttara (my daughter). That foremost of men is her becoming husband."

Thus addressed, the pious king Yudhishthira looked towards Dhananjaya. And looked at by his brother, Arjuna said to the king of Matsya's.

Oking, I shall accept your daughter as my daughter-in-law. Such an alliance between the Matsya's and Bharatas is indeed proper..