Looks!

Maharāj Yudhisthir said to Virāta: I’ve no ambition to become a big leader. My only request is this-while engaged in gambling, I should never be goaded into disputes with lowly persons

Virāta declared: Dear Brāhmanā, don’t worry! I promise to kill or banish from kingdom anyone who dares to displease you. You’ll become my personal associate & I’ll provide you with all opulence. You’ll become my trusted minister & always accompany me on my chariot. Pls consider this kingdom to be as good as your own. Yudhisthira was then escorted to his quarters

Next came Bhima, dressed in black & carrying a cooking ladle and spoon, as well as an unsheathed sword. Seeing Bhima’s lion-like strides, incomparable strength & celestial beauty, Virāta thought to himself: This must be King of Gandharvās, or perhaps Indra himself in disguise

Virāta sent ministers to question the visitor & in response to inquiries, Bhima said: My name is Vallabha. I’m an incomparable cook who desires engagement in King’s kitchen. Virāta said: I can’t believe that you’re a mere cook, for you look like King of heaven. Bhima said: I was formerly King Yudhisthira’s cook & am a wrestler of unrivaled prowess. I’ll amuse you by wrestling with lions & elephants, while simultaneously pleasing you with most sumptuous food

Virāta exclaimed: I’m willing to give you my entire kingdom to rule. But, if you want to become royal cook, you can take charge of the kitchen at once

Thereafter, Draupadi began to wander thro’ city, disguised as Sairindhri. As she roamed appearing distressed, people approached her & asked: O unfortunate lady, what is that you want? She said: I desire to render some service in exchange for my maintenance. None believed this seeing her beauty & sweet cultured speech

Virāta’s queen, Sudesna, daughter of Kaikeya king, happened to see Draupadi while standing on palace terrace. Out of curiosity, she called Draupadi asking her identity, who said she was a Sairindhri. Queen could hardly believe it, thinking that this unknown woman very well be the goddess of fortune. She said: O Lady! Your bodily features indicate that you’re an Apsarā or heavenly goddess. I can understand that your intelligence is great because your words are very solemn, although uttered with a voice that is as sweet as a swan’s. Your bodily features are exquisite with fragrance of lotus flower. I cannot believe that you’re a maidservant

Draupadi said: O Queen! I’m not a celestial goddess. I’m maidservant who formerly served Draupadi, as well as Lord Krsna’s favorite queen Satyabhāma. Sudesna said: I would be glad to respectfully keep you as my hairdresser, but because of your exquisite beauty, King Virāta would surely fall in love with you & forget me. Draupadi said: Pls don’t worry, because your husband or any other man will never be able to come near me as I’m protected by my 5 Gandharvā husbands. They’ll immediately kill anyone who tries to advance towards me. Assured Sudesna agreed to take Draupadi into her household

Appearances are often deceiving. What we see often is only a fractional part of what reality is. Outward appearances mislead us into thinking the opposite and as such we should be very careful in our analysis of things or people who seem unreal

Similarly our eyes is not able to see the wonder which the Supreme Lord has manifested around us and the blessings we have. A devotee can only see him with the vision of love

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti
yaṁ śyāmasundaram acintya-guṇa-svarūpaṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi

Thoughts? #gameoflife


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