king Virata. I have a thorough knowledge (of this work)
and am skilful in tending horses. Besides, the task is agreeable to me,
and I possess great skill in training and treating horses; and horses
are ever dear to me as they are to thee, O king of the Kurus. At my
hands even colts and mares become docile; these never become vicious in
bearing a rider or drawing a car.[3] And those persons in the city of
Virata that may enquire of me, I shall, O bull of the Bharata race,
say,--_Formerly I was employed by Yudhishthira in the charge of his
horses_. Thus disguised, O king, I shall spend my days delightfully in
the city of Virata. No one will be able to discover me as I will gratify
the monarch thus!'[4]

[3] The sloka commencing with _Adushta_ and ending _ratheshu
cha_ does not occur in texts except those in Bengal.

[4] A difference reading is observable here. The sense, however,
is the same.

"Yudhishthira said, 'How wilt thou, O Sahadeva, bear thyself before that
king? And what, O child, is that which thou wilt do in order to live in
disguise.'

"Sahadeva replied, 'I will become a keeper of the king of Virata's kine.
I am skilled in milking kine and taking their history as well as in
taming their fierceness. Passing under the name of Tantripala, I shall
perform my duties deftly. Let thy heart's fever be dispelled. Formerly I
was frequently employed to look after thy kine, and, O Lord of earth, I
have a particular knowledge of that work. And, O monarch, I am
well-acquainted with the nature of kine, as also with their auspicious
marks and other matters relating to them. I can also discriminate bulls
with auspicious marks, the scent of whose urine may make even the barren
being forth child. Even thus will I live, and I always take delight in
work of this kind. Indeed, no one will then be able to recognise me, and
I will moreover gratify the monarch.'

"Yudhishthira said, 'This is our beloved wife dearer to us than our
lives. Verily, she deserveth to be cherished by us like a mother, and
regarded like an elder sister. Unacquainted as she is with any kind of
womanly work, what office will Krishna, the daughter of Drupada,
perform? Delicate and young, she is a princess of great repute. Devoted
to her lords, and eminently virtuous, also, how will she live? Since her
birth, she hath enjoyed only garlands and perfumes and ornaments and
costly robes.'

"Draupadi replied, 'There is a class of persons called