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Mahabharata
Kichaka-Vadha Parva
Conversation between Krishna and Kichaka. Draupadi going to bring wine. Contempt of Draupadi. Dialogue between Draupadi and Bhima. Words of Draupadi. The conversation between Bhima and Draupadi. The destruction of Kichaka. The destruction of minor Kichaka's. The queen's words to Sairandhri.
Vaishampayana said:
Those mighty warriors, the sons of Pritha, spent ten months living thus in disguise in Matsya's city.
O lord of people, Yajnaseni, although herself worthy of being served by others, began to live, O Janamejaya, in great misery by waiting upon Sudeshna.
Conducting herself in this way in Sudeshna's apartments the daughter of Panchala pleased that lady as well as the other women of the harem.
That year being nearly expired the mighty Kichaka the commander of Virata's forces happened to see the daughter of Draupada.
Beholding her having effulgence like that of a divine girl and waiting on the earth like a goddess, Kichaka, struck hard with the shafts of Cupid, desired to obtain her.
Burning with the flame of lust, the leader of Virata's forces went to Sudeshna (his sister) and smilingly spoke to her in the following words.
This damsel was never seen by me before in Virata palace. This beautiful lady maddens me very much with her beauty as wine does with its odour.
Tell me, O lady, who is this be-witching girl of fine beauty, endued with the grace of a goddess and whose she is and where she comes from. She has brought me to subjection by grinding my heart. I think there is no other medicine to heal me (except her).
This fine and maid of yours appears to me as one possessed of the blooming beauty of a goddess. The service which she renders to you quite unsuitable to her.
Let her grace my splendid and beautiful residence adorned with various ornaments of gold, furnished with viands and drinks in plenty, decked with excellent plates and containing everything signifying prosperity, besides elephants and cars in lots.
Having thus consulted Sudeshna Kichaka approached the daughter of the king (Draupadi) and addressed her in words of amity just as a jackal accosts a lioness in the forest.
Who and whose are you, O graceful one? Whence are you come to this city of Virata, O you of beautiful countenance. Tell me truly, O fair one.
Your beauty is rankled as the foremost of its order, so also is your gracefulness. Excellent is your tenderness; in respect of loveliness your countenance shines as clearly as the moon.
O one of lovely eye-brows, your eyes are large resembling the petals of lotuses. O you of graceful limbs, your voice is like the notes of the cuckoo.
O you of fair hips, never before have I beheld in the world a woman endued with such beauty as you are, O blameless one.
Are you Lakshmi herself having lotuses for abode, or O slender-waisted one, are you Bhuti herself? Which of these - Hri, Sri, Kiriti and Kanti, are you the impersonation, O you of excellent features?
Are you the one endued with the beauty of Rati, enjoying dalliance in the embrace of the god of love ? O you of fair eye-brows, exceedingly do you shine like the excellent light of the moon.
Who is there in the whole world that will not yield to the influence of Cupid beholding your face endued with matchless grace - your face endued with the halo of celestials light, pleasant in consequence of the heavenly beauty, resembles the moon in full having smile for its rays and eye-lashes for its spots.
Both your breasts are exceedingly graceful, well-shaped, endued with beauty, well rounded and without a space between, and are worthy of being decked with garlands.
Your breasts, O you of fair eye-brows, resemble lotus-buds in shape; like the whips of Kama they are afflicting me, O you of pleasant smiles.
O slender-waisted lady, beholding this your waist marked with four waivy wrinkles, stooping forward with the weight of your breasts and measuring only a span, and also looking on your beautiful hips resembling the banks of the river the incurable disease of lust afflicts me greatly, O beautiful one.
The flame of lust like forest conflagration augmented by the hope of union with you burns me without mercy.
O fair one of excellent hip, pray quench the flaming fire kindled by the god of love, by self-surrender resembling a shower, the cloud thereof being union with you.
O you of a countenance resembling the moon, the dreadful, violent and cruel shafts of Cupid, capable of causing my mind quite out of sorts, sharpened by the desire of dalliance with you, piercing my heart with a rapid course, have penetrated into its core, O black eyed one.
The maddening gestures and movements of yours are really transporting my joy into madness. It behoves you to save me from this plight by surrendering your person to me and allowing me to enjoy your company.
Wearing beautiful garlands and clothes and adorned with all kinds of ornaments enjoy with me. O sweet one, all the objects of your desire to your fill.
O you endued with the gait of an elephant in ruttish state, as you are accustomed to happiness, though deprived of it now, it behoves you not to live here in misery; pray receive from me all kinds of excellent things contributing to your happiness. Eating delightful and dainty viands of various kinds with taste almost equal to ambrosia, and sporting at your sweet will, attain fortune and all the enjoyable articles of superior and excellent kind and drink and wine, O blessed one.
This beauty and prime of your youth, O beauteous lady, is now totally useless. O beautiful and chaste lady, lovely as you are, do you not shine like fine garlands unused?
I will renounce all my old wives. Let them be your serving hands, O one of sweet smile. O beautiful one, I will stay as a slave to you and be ever obedient to you, O you of fair face.
Draupadi said:
I am Sairandhri of low caste holding the hateful office of dressing hair; O Suta's son, in desiring me you desire one who is not worthy of such honour.
I am the wife of others; good be to you. This conduct does not become your position. The wives of others are dear to them, think of this axiomatic precept.
Let your heart never be inclined to adultery, because the complete abandonment of all improper acts is ever the duty of those that are good.
The person who hankers after the worldly desire leads a sinful life, and under the influence of deceptive knowledge, comes by either dire disgrace or grim calamity.
Vaishampayana said:
Thus addressed by Sairandhri the wicked- minded Kichaka, with senses unsubdued and overcome by lust, in spite of the knowledge of numerous evils of adultery the evils denounced by every body and sometimes spoke the following to ending fatally, Draupadi.
O fair faced damsel of excellent hips, it is not seemly on your part thus to disregarded me who am quite under the influence of Cupid on your account, O you of sweet smiles.
O timid one, having disregarded me speaking so sweet to you and totally under your influence, surely, O black eyed one, you will have to true afterwards.
O you of fair eye-brows, I am the lord of the whole of this realm. O slender-waisted lady, the people of this kingdom owe to me their safe living here. In heroism I have to rival on earth.
In personal beauty, youth, prosperity as well as in the possession of all the excellent objects of luxury, there is no other man on earth that can stand equal to me.
Having everything of luxury, comfort and enjoyment of no parallel at your command, why do you, O auspicious lady, prefer to remain enchained in servitude?
O fair-faced one, I confer on you the whole of the kingdom; accept me O you of large hips and enjoy all the excellent objects of desire.
Thus addressed by Kichaka in these foul words the chaste Draupadi set his word at naught and addressed him thus.
Sairandhri said:
O son of a Suta, do not play the fool and do not throw away your life this very day; know me always protected by five heroes.
I am not to be won by you; I have Gandharvas for my husband, they, if enraged, shall slay you. It is good for you not to bring destruction upon yourself.
You wish to go by the way which was never passed by men, O wicked one; you intend to act just like a foolish boy who standing on one bank of the ocean desires to go to the other side of it.
If you enter the subterneous pit of the earth or soar up the sky or go to the other shore of the ocean, still you will have no escape from their hands, for it is in the nature of these sky- ranging offspring of gods to crush enemies.
Why do you, O Kichaka, desire me today so firmly, just like a sick man who wishes for the night that will put an end to his existence. Why do you solicit me just like a child who lies on its mother's lap wishes to obtain the moon.
There will be nowhere any refuge for you soliciting their beloved wife whether you go to the earth or to the heaven. O Kichaka, you have no eyes that may win for you any good or safety of your life.
Vaishampayana said:
Rejected thus by the princess Kichaka, over-pressed with fearful lust capable of making one forgetful of all sense of propriety, said to Sudeshna.
O Kaikeyi, do that by which Sairandhri may be united with me. O Sudeshna, device a plan by which that Sairandhri of elephant-gait may accept me. Otherwise I intend putting end to my life.
Hearing the words of his thus lamenting in manifold terms the intelligent lady, Virata's queen, took pity on him.
Holding counsel with her own self and pondering over his desire and over the perturbation of Krishna, Sudeshna said to Suta's son (Kichaka).
Taking the advantage of some festival, better have wines and viands prepared. I shall then send her to you to bring some wine.
Thus sent thereto you should, in uninterrupted solitude, humour her according to your will. Thus cajoled most likely she may be attached to you.
Thus addressed he, in pursuance of his sister's words, came out and procured very fine wines worthy of a king.
Then he had various kinds of food, diverse sorts of meat of excellent degree and delicious drinks, and dishes prepared by the cooks skilled in the business.
This being done Sudeshna as previously intimated by Kichaka sent her Sairandhri to the abode of Kichaka, saying.
Sudeshna said:
O Sairandhri, get up and repair to the abode of Kichaka. O gentle one, bring wine for me, for thirst afflicts me.
Draupadi said:
O princess, I shall not go to his house; O queen, you know yourself how shameless he is.
O beautiful lady of excellent limbs, in your house, I shall never prove myself faithless to my husband and lead a life of chastity.
O beautiful lady, you know full well the condition I made before I had entered your palace.
O you of beautiful hairs having good curls at the end, on seeing me that wicked Kichaka, rendered insolent by the god of desire, will dishonour me. O beautiful one, I shall not repair thither.
O princess, you have good many obedient maids, pray send one of them. Let good betide you, for surely he will insult me.
Sudeshna said:
"Dispatched by me from my palace he will hardly, do any harm to you"; saying this she handed out to her a golden pot with a cover.
Filled with fear and shedding tears she asked for the divine protection, an then departed for Kichaka's house for fetching wine.
Draupadi said:
As I do not know any other save and except my husband, let not Kichaka, by strength of that virtue, be able to bring me into his power.
Vaishampayana said:
Then that helpless one worshipped the sun-god for a moment and the deity understood all the prayers of her of slender waist.
Then he ordered a Rakshasas to protect her invisibly and from that time that Rakshasas also never left that blameless lady alone under any circumstances whatever.
Beholding Krishna come to his presence like a terrified doe, the Suta rose up just like a person wishing to go to the other end of a river when he obtains a boat.
Kichaka said:
O fair one of beautiful tresses with curls at the end, you are welcome; very luckily for me the night has passed. I have got you as the mistress of my house, pray do what is good to me.
Let golden chains, couches, brilliant golden ear-rings of different countries, beautiful gems and jewels, silken garments and deer skins be gathered for you.
I have a very fine bed prepared only for you; pray come there and drink with me the honeyed wine.
Draupadi said:
The princess has sent me to you for taking away wine; give it to me quickly, she said to me she has a great thirst.
Kichaka said:
O gentle one, others will take the wine that has been promised to the princess, Saying this the Suta's son seized her by the right arm.
Draupadi said:
As I have never acted faithlessly towards my husbands, even at heart through infatuation; by virtue of that truth, O sinful one, I shall behold you overpowered and completely hurled down on the ground.
Vaishampayana said:
Wishing thus to take hold of her Kichaka, seeing that large-eyed lady reproaching him in this wise, seized her by the end of her upper garment while she was about to run away.
But seized with great force the princess of excellent limbs began to pant and unable to put up with it, she, with a frame trembling in wrath, hurled him hard on the ground. Being thus thrown down by her that sinful one fell to the ground like a tree whose root has been cut.
Having thus thrown Kichaka down on the ground while seized by him she ran trembling to the court, where the king Yudhishthira was, to seek protection.
Kichaka seized her by the locks while she was running with speed and struck her down by a kick in the very presence of the king.
O Bharata, the Rakshasa that was appointed by the sun-god for her protection, gave a push to Kichaka with as much force as that of the wind.
Then he, completely overpowered by the Rakshasa might, fell down on the ground, reeling and motionless like a tree whose root has been cut.
Both Bhimasena and Yudhishthira, who were seated there, beheld with unforgiving attitude, that outrage on Krishna committed by Kichaka.
Desiring the death of that wicked Kichaka the high-minded Bhima began to grind his teeth in wrath .
His eyes with their lashes upraised, assumed the aspect of smoky dark, and terrible wrinkles covered with sweat appeared on his forehead.
That slayer of hostile heroes rubbed his forehead with his hand and incensed with ire desired many times to rise up in haste.
The king Yudhishthira, apprehending discovery, pressed his thumb with his own and commanded Bhima to desist.
Yudhishthira forbade Bhimasena who looked like an infuriated elephant beholding a large tree.
O cook, do you behold trees for fuel ? If you are in need of faggots better gather them up from the trees abroad.
The weeping daughter of Draupadi, endowed with excellent hips, approaching the entrance of the court and beholding her lords of melancholy mood, tenacious in keeping up the disguise observing the pledge they had already sworn, burning with flashing eyes, spoke to the king of the Matsya's.
The son of a Suta has kicked me the honored spouse of those whose enemies can never sleep even if they reside in regions of anchorites (what to speak of their living in a country of their own).
The son of a Suta has kicked me, the respected consort of those who are truthful, devoted to Brahmins and used to give away without asking any thing in gift.
The son of a Suta has kicked me the beloved wife of those, the sounds of whose drums and twangs of whose bow are constantly heard.
The son of a Suta has kicked me the respected wife of those who are endowed with energy, and power of self-control, and who are exceedingly mighty and highly dignified.
The son of a Suta has kicked me the honored wife of those who, if they had not been tied down by duty, could destroy the whole of this world.
Alas where do those mighty warriors ramble in disguise today who grant refuge to those that come to solicit it.
How do these mighty personages of exceeding energy quietly suffer, like eunuchs, their beloved and chaste wife to be thus outraged by the son of a Suta?
Ah, where is their wrath, the prowess and the energy when they cannot protect their wife from being thus insulted by a wretch.
What can I do in the city of Virata, the defiler of virtue, who coolly allows my innocent self thus to be insulted although he sees it (with his own eyes).
The king does not act like a king in the slightest degree towards Kichaka. O king, your conduct is like that of a robber and does not become the royal court.
O Matsya, it is highly unbecoming that I should thus be outraged by this villain in the very presence of yours. Let all the courtiers mark this laxity on the part of Kichaka.
Neither Kichaka is virtuous nor ever is Matsya. The courtiers who wait upon the king are also destitute of virtue.
Vaishampayana said:
With words like these the graceful Krishna, with eyes teeming with tears, rebuked the king of the Matsya.
Virata said:
I do not know anything of your quarrel that happened out of our light. How can there be any justice on that score unless I go through the true version of the case.
Vaishampayana said:
Then the courtiers, hearing everything, praised Krishna and repeatedly exclaimed "well done well done," and reproached Kichaka.
The Courtiers said:
Surely the man, who has this lady of expansive eyes and of all-graceful limbs for his wife, possesses every thing that is valuable and shall on no occasion have to indulge in grief.
Surely such a lady, of exceeding grace an perfectly faultless limbs, is hardly to be found among men. Indeed she seems in all wise to be a goddess to us.
Vaishampayana said:
While the courtiers, seeing Krishna, were praising her in this way, there came from ire the drops of perspiration on the forehead of Yudhishthira.
Then the chief of the Kurus addressed the princess, his beloved consort, saying "O Sairandhri, do not stay here, go to the apartment of Sudeshna.
The wives of heroes endure pain for the sake of their husbands; but undergoing trouble in waiting upon their lords they at last go to the regions where their husbands depart.
Me-seems your Gandharva husbands of sun-like effulgence do not consider this as a befitting opportunity of giving vent to their spleen, and therefore do not run on to your succour.
O Sairandhri, you are ignorant of opportunity and therefore weep like an actress; you are causing annoyance in the court of the Matsya's while they are diverting themselves with gaming.
Retire, O Sairandhri, the Gandharvas will do what is agreeable to you. They will dispel your sorrow and make away with him who has wronged you."
Sairandhri said:
I practise piety for their sake who are extremely kind. They, of whom the eldest is addicted to dice, are to be oppressed by all.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this the fair Krishna with loosened hair and eyes reddened with wrath, rushed on towards the apartments of Sudeshna.
On her having wept so long her countenance appeared like the lunar disc in the sky freed from the clouds.
Sudeshana said:
O beautiful one of excellent hips, who has slighted you, why do you weep. O gentle one, whose happiness will come to an end this day? Who has done wrong to you?
Draupadi said:
As I went to fetch wine for you Kichaka struck me in the court in the very presence of the king as if in the midst of a lonely forest.
Sudeshana said:
O you of tresses with curly ends, if it be your will, I shall cause Kichaka to be slain, who maddened with lust, has insulted you utterly incapable of being won by him.
Sairandhri said:
Others whom he has wronged will slay him; I think he will certainly go this very day to the region of Yama (Death).
Vaishampayana said:
Thus outraged by the Suta's son that illustrious princess Krishna of exceeding beauty, brooding over the destruction of the leader of Virata's forces, repaired to her own apartments.
Having duly washed her body and clothes with water the slender-waisted Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, began to ponder weepingly on the means of discarding her grief.
What shall I do? Whither shall I go? How can my desire be accomplished? while she thinking thus she thought of Bhima.
Save and except Bhima there is none else that can do this very day what is agreeable to me. Then afflicted with great woe that large- eyed Krishna of spacious breast and approved chastity, with mighty lords as her protectors, rose up at night, left her own bed and repaired speedily to the abode of Bhimasena, desirous of accosting her lord.
Sairandhri said:
How can you enjoy the sweets of sleep while that foe of mine, the wretched commander of Virata's forces, lives still, having perpetrated that foul deed today?
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this the high-minded Draupadi entered the chamber where Bhima lay asleep snoring like a lion.
O son of Kuru ! Bhima's kitchen got grandeur and glamour as it was illumined with the divine touch of Draupadi's complexion and her presence. Draupadi with her innocent smile, accessed to great Bhima with her entrance in kitchen like (she) her on born in water (gradually access to heron, ox and elephant), parthiva cow of three years age and she elephant,
The daughter of Panchala embraced the second son of Pandu even as a creeper embraces a vigorous and huge Sala tree on the banks of the Gomati.
Having clasped him with her arms that faultless one roused him from his bed just as lioness awakes a sleeping lion in a solitary forest.
Having embraced Bhimasena as a she-elephant embraces her mighty mate, that faultless daughter of Panchala, possessed of a voice sweet as the sound of a Vina, sounding out clearly the Gandharva tune addressed Bhimasena thus.
O Bhimasena, rise up, why do you sleep like a dead one? For a sinful wretch cannot live after insulting the wife of one that is not dead.
Being awakened by the princess he, having complexion like that of the clouds, left his bed and sat on the couch furnished with pillows.
Then the son of Kunti addressed his beloved consort saying "For what purpose have you come hither so speedily to me?
Your complexion seems to have lost its natural hue; you appear lean and pale, tell me all in detail that I may know every thing.
Tell me everything clearly whether it be pleasurable; having heard all I shall do what lies in my power.
In all works of yours, O Krishna, I am your confident, for I alone deliver you from danger again and again.
Telling me quickly what is your wish and what you purpose to do, repair to your bed before others are up.
Draupadi said:
Whence can there be a freedom of grief to her who has Yudhishthira for her husband? Knowing all my grief's do you ask me?
The grief, when Pratikami dragged me in the court in the midst of the courtiers calling me a slave, burns me still, O Bharata.
What other princess like me, would live enduring such a hard misery?
Who else except me has so much energy as to suffer the insult offered by the wicked prince of Sindhu during our stay in the forest?
Who else like me, can live having been kicked by Kichaka in the very presence of the wicked king of the Matsya's?
O Bharata, of what use is the life to me, when you, O son of Kunti, do not think of me, who have been afflicted with various woes like these?
O Bharata, the most wicked-minded one of vile nature, known by the name Kichaka, who is the leader of his forces, addresses we, everyday, O best men, while living in the royal palace in the guise of a Sairandhri, saying "do you become my wife."
O slayer of foes, thus addressed by him deserving destruction, my heart is bursting like a fruit ripened in due time.
You should pass censure on your eldest brother who is sorely addicted to the despicable game of dice, through whose act alone I have received this endless woe.
Who else, except him, addicted sore to gambling, would play, renouncing kingdom and every thing including his self, in order to lead a life in the forest?
If he had played morning and evening for many years together pawning Nishkas by thousands and other treasures of value, still his silver and gold robes and cars, teams and goats, and sheep and horses and mules would have hardly suffered any diminution.
But deprived of fortune by rivalry of dice he now holds silence like a fool meditating over his own misdeeds.
It is he, who while going out, was followed by ten thousand elephants, adorned with golden garlands, and he now supports himself by gambling at dice.
That great king, Yudhishthira, the best of the charitable, whom the kings by hundreds of thousands endowed with unparalleled power worshipped at the city of Indraprastha, at whose kitchen a hundred thousand maids, with plate in hand used to feed every day, day and night, numbers of guests, and who used to give away in charity a thousand nishkas, is also overpowered by great calamity caused by gambling.
Many bards and eulogists gifted with musical voice, and decked with bright ear-rings beset with gems, worshipped him morning and evening.
That Yudhishthira, who had a number of sages versed in the Vedas, gifted with ascetic merit, and having all their wishes complied with, as his daily courtiers, and who maintained eighty-eight thousands of wedded snatakas, to each of whom there were assigned maids thirty in number, as well as ten thousand yatis abstaining from accepting any thing in shape of gift and having their vital seed totally drawn up, that lord of men lives in such a plight.
That lord of men, who is free from cruelty, full of compassion and used to give every one his legitimate due, is, inspite of all these excellent attributes, destined to live in such a guise.
That very monarch Yudhishthira, who is forbearing, of unfailing prowess, and having a mind bent on giving every one his legitimate due, and in consequence of his not indulging in a harmful feeling, maintained daily, in his kingdom, the blind, the old, the helpless, the orphans of various kinds and many others in such distress. That Yudhishthira, now becoming a servant of the king of the Matsya's, and a gambler in his court, and calling himself by the name Kanka, has surely attained the misery of hell.
Alas! even he begs for his subsistence at another's hands to whom residing at Indraprastha, all the kings of earth used to pay tributes.
Alas! even that king, who had all the kings of earth in subjection, has lost his liberty and lives in subjection to others.
Having dazzled, like the sun, the whole of this earth with his power, even that king Yudhishthira remains as a courtier of king Virata.
O Pritha's son, behold that Pandava today waiting upon another, who was waited upon in court by the kings with sages.
Beholding Yudhishthira as a courtier sitting beside another and uttering eulogistic speeches, who is there that is not positively afflicted with grief.
Beholding that virtuous Yudhishthira of great wisdom, undeserving of such a plight and serving another for maintenance who is there that is not overtaken by grief.
O Bharata, behold that Bharata, who was worshipped by all the heroes of earth in court, even he is now serving another for subsistence.
O Bhima, why do you not look at me who am stationed in the midst of the sea of sorrow and afflicted like a helpless one, with various woes.
Draupadi said:
O Bharata, what I am going to tell you now is another great grief of mine; you should not get angry with me, as I tell you this out of a sheer sadness of heart.
Who is there whose grief is not enhanced seeing you employed in the abominable service of a cook, entirely unbecoming of you, and calling yourself as belonging to the sect of Ballava.
What can be more distressful than this that people should know you as Virata's cook Ballava by name and fallen into servitude. When you wait on the king Virata calling yourself as Ballava the cook after getting through the work of the kitchen, then my very mind sinks into despair.
When the monarch in joy makes you fight with elephants and the women of his seraglio laugh my mind totally sinks in sorrow.
When you fought with lions, tigers and buffaloes in the inner apartment of the palace in the occular presence of Kaikayi then the faint came over me.
Then rising from her seat along with her maids who also rose up with her, Kaikayi beholding me with limbs uninjured and only overtaken by swoon, addressed them saying "surely it is from the affection originated by living together that this lady of beautiful smile grieves for the cook, seeing him fighting with beasts of exceeding strength. Sairandhri is one of exceeding beauty and Ballava is handsome too, the heart of woman is so hard to know; and me-thinks they both are deserving of each other. Sairandhri is seen constantly lamenting for the connection with her lover and they both have entered this royal family at the same time." Speaking such words she always scolds me.
Beholding me getting enraged she suspects me to be attached to you which she speaks; thus I am overtaken by great grief.
Beholding you, O Bhima of terrible prowess, suffering from being fallen into such a dire calamity and sunk in grief for Yudhishthira I do not intend to live.
Alas! that youthful one, who on a single car defeated all celestials and men, is now the dancing master of the daughters of the king Virata.
That Pritha's son, who with his immeasurable energy gratified the fire-god in the Khandava forest, is now stationed in the seraglio like fire concealed in a well.
That Dhananjaya, from whom, the best of men, enemies had constant dread, is now living in a guise hated by all.
That Dhananjaya, whose arms are likes maces of iron and are marked by the strokes of the bow-string, is living in grief with his wrists covered with conch-bracelets.
The singing sound of that one, the sound of whose bow-string caused tremble to his enemies, is now courted by only delightful women.
That Dhananjaya, whose head was decked with a diadem of solar effulgence, is now appearing with braids ending in ugly curls.
O Bhima, seeing that mighty wielder of bow, Arjuna, with braids ending in ugly curls and surrounded by damsels, my heart is stricken with distress.
That high-souled one, to whom all the celestials weapons are known, and who is the repository of all the sciences, is now wearing a pair of ear-rings.
That youthful one, whom myriad's of kings of matchless prowess could not overcome in fight, even as the great ocean cannot overleap its banks, is now the dancing master of the daughters of king Virata and passes his days in disguise as one in the capacity of a servant to them.
O Bhima, that exalted younger brother of yours, the rattling sound of whose car-wheels made the entire earth with all her mountains and forests and with all things mobile and immobile, tremble, and O Bhimasena, who being born, all the grief's of Kunti vanished, now causes me to lament for him.
Beholding him approaching me adorned with golden ear-rings and other ornaments and with wrists with bracelets of conches, my heart sinks into sorrow.
That Dhananjaya, to whom there is no bowman on the entire earth, equal in prowess, is now passing his days in singing surrounded by women.
Beholding that son of Pritha honored to the world for virtue, prowess and truthfulness, now living in the hated guise of a woman, my heart sinks into sorrow.
When I look upon that good-like Partha surrounded by females in this music hall like an elephant of rent temples encircled by she- elephant before Virata, the king of the Matsya's, then all the cardinal points seem to me to have lost their existence.
Surely my mother-in-law does not know Dhananjaya sorely distressed with sorrow; nor does she know the descendant of Kuru, Ajatashatru, addicted to vicious gambling thus sunk in misery.
O Bharata, beholding Sahadeva, the youngest of you all, in the capacity of a protector of kine and in the guise of a cowherd, grow pale.
Thinking over and over of Sahadeva's office I cannot obtain sleep what to speak of rest?
O mighty-armed one, I know not of Sahadeva's sin for which that one of unfailing prowess suffers thus.
O foremost of the Bharata's beholding the beloved brother of yours, the foremost of men, appointed by the king of the Matsya's in looking after his kine, I feel grieved.
Beholding that hero clad in red garments, busy in gratifying Virata and posing himself at the head of the cowherds, fever comes on me.
My mother-in-law always speaks of that heroic Sahadeva as one possessed of high reputation, good character and excellent conduct.
Kunti, greatly attached to her sons, stood weeping with Sahadeva in her arms, while he was starting (with us) for the great forest and addressed me thus "Sahadeva is bashful, sweet- voiced, virtuous, and very dear to me, therefore, O Yajnaseni cheer him up while he feels dejected and tend him in the forest, day and night. He is tender and brave, devoted to the king, heroic and always respectful to his elder brother; O Panchali, feed him yourself.”
Beholding that Sahadeva, the best of warriors, engaged in tending kine and lying on calf skins at night, O Pandava, how can I live?
Again that one, who is gifted with the three attributes of beauty, arms and intellect, is now tending the steed of Virata. Lo! how times change!
Granthika, at whose presence hostile forces ran away from the field of battle, is now engaged in training horses before the king driving them with speed.
I now see that graceful one wait upon the richly dressed and excellent Virata, the king of the Matsya's and make a show of his horses before the king.
O Pritha's son, afflicted with hundreds of sorrows on account of Yudhishthira, do you deem me happy, O repressor of foes.
O Bharata, there are various other woes greater than these which I am afflicted with; listen, O son of Kunti, I shall relate tell them all to you.
Alas, you being all alive these various woes (render my person emaciated) undermine my system; what can be sadder than this?
Draupadi said:
Alas, on account of that one skilled in gambling I am under Sudeshna's command, dwelling in the palace in the guise of a Sairandhri.
O repressor of foes, princess as I am, see what pitiful change has come upon me I am living in expectation of a hopeful future, but my misery has reached its extremity.
Accomplishment of purposes and victory and defeat with regard to mortals are of short duration. Thinking this, I am expecting the return of prosperity to my husbands.
Like a wheel prosperity and adversity revolve. Thinking this, I am expecting the return of prosperity to my husbands.
That which becomes a cause of a man's victory may become the cause of his defeat as well. I live in that hope.
O Bhimasena, why do you not consider me as dead? I am told that persons that give may beg, persons that slaughter may be slaughtered by others, and that persons that ever throw others may be over-thrown by enemies. There is nothing difficult for destiny nor can any one over-rule destiny.
It is with this hope, I am expecting the return of favorable fortune; once before where there was water, there comes it back again. Hoping for this change, I am awaiting the return of prosperity.
When a man's business, although brought into a stage of completion, is seen to be endangered then a wise man should strive hard for the getting of good fortune.
Immersed as I am in grief, whether you ask me or not I shall tell you in detail, the purpose of these words now spoken by me.
Queen of the sons of Pandu, and daughter of Drupada, who else but me wishes to live, having been reduced to such a plight?
O repressor of foes, this my misery surely brings humiliation, O Bharata, on all the Kurus, the Panchalas and the Pandavas.
Being surrounded by numerous brothers, father-in-law and sons and thus having ample cause for rejoicing what other woman but myself has become so miserable?
O foremost of the Bharata race, certainly in my childhood I did some wrongful act to Dhata and through his displeasure I have fallen into such a woeful plight.
Behold, O son of Pandu, the paleness of my complexion which even in the extremely miserable life in the forest could not come over me.
O Pritha's son, it is you alone that know what happiness had I in my former days, O Bhima; even I, who was thus circumstance, have now sunk in slavery: paralysed in grief I cannot obtain rest.
As the mighty-armed and terrible bowman Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, lives here, like a fire covered over by ashes, then must I think that all these actions are due to Destiny.
O son of Pritha, it is not possible for people to understand the destiny of creatures. Therefore this your downfall, I think, could not have been thwarted by fore-thought.
Alas, she who has you all resembling Indra always to look after her comforts, even that one, who is so chaste and bears so lofty a station in life, is ministering to the comforts of others who are far below in rank to her.
Though all of you are alive, behold O Pandava, my plight. It is such as is quite undeserving of me. Lo! how times change.
Alas! she, who had the entire earth as far as the verge of the sea under her command, is now living in fear of Sudeshna and in subjugation to her.
Even she, who had a number of dependents to walk both in van and rear, is now walking before and behind Sudeshna. O Kunti's son, listen to another grief of mine; it is unbearable to me.
Even she, who had never pounded unguents for herself except for Kunti, has been now pounding the sandal (for others) O! let good betide you.
O Kunti’s son, behold these hands of mine, they were not so before." Saying this she showed both of her hands marked with corns.
Even that one, who had never feared Kunti nor any of you, now stays a slave in fear before Virata,
(Always do I remain in fear thinking) what the king of kings will say to me as about the unguents if they are not well pounded; because the king of the Matsya's does not like the sandal pounded by others.
Vaishampayana said:
Narrating her woes to Bhimasena, O Bharata, the lady Krishna wept silently with her glance fixed on Bhimasena.
She, with words tremulous with tears, and sighing repeatedly addressed Bhimasena thus powerfully moving his heart.
O Bhima, surely had I committed many sinful acts to gods in my former days. Unfortunate as I am, I am still alive, my death is preferable to me, O Pandava.
Then Vrikodara the slayer of hostile heroes, covering his face with the delicate hands of his wife, marked with scars, began to weep.
The powerful son of Kunti, having held both of her hands in his own, began to shed tears, and stricken with great woe spoke the following.
Bhima said:
Fie to the strength of my arms and fie to the Gandiva of Phalguni, since these your hands red before have now become marked with scars.
I would have caused a great havoc in the court of Virata but the son of Kunti looked at me (by way of forbidding); that was the reason of my forbearance.
Or like a mighty elephant I would have easily crushed with a single kick the head of Kichaka intoxicated with the pride of wealth.
O Krishna, when I saw you kicked by Kichaka, I intended the very moment to bring about a great devastation of the whole of the Matsya's.
But the lord of justice forbade me by a glance, O beautiful one; knowing his intention I desisted from the purpose and kept quiet.
That we have been expelled from our kingdom, that I have not yet killed the Kurus, and that I have not yet taken the heads of Suyodhana, Karna, Shakuni the son of Subala and the sinful Duryodhana, have been scorching every limb of mine and causing pain to my heart as if a peg is thrust into it.
O you beautiful, do not give up virtue; O noble minded lady, renounce your wrath. O auspicious one, if king Yudhishthira hears from you such rebukes, he is sure to give up his life.
O slender-waisted lady of beautiful hips, if Dhananjaya or the twins hear you speak thus, they will surely put an end to their lives; and they having given up life I shall not be able to keep up my own.
In days of yore, the body of sage Chyavana had turned into a termite like feature due to incessant and long term penance. It seemed that the camp of his life will shortly cease illumine, yet his wife Sukanya did not show any way negligence towards him and kept on serving.
In olden days, perhaps you may have heard that Indrasena, who resembled Narayani in beauty, followed her old husband or a thousand years of age.
You may have heard that Janaka's daughter Sita, the princess of Videha, went in the wake of her lord while he was dwelling in a great dreary forest.
That lady of beautiful hips, the beloved queen of Rama, although she received a great calamity at the hands of the Rakshasas and was afflicted with woe, was at length reunited with Rama.
O excellent one, Lopamudra also, endued with youth and beauty, followed her lord Agastya, renouncing all objects of enjoyments hardly to be attained by men.
The noble-minded lady of spotless beauty, Savitri, followed the heroic Satyavana, the son of Dyumatsena, alone into the reign of death.
As these beautiful and chaste ladies are described by me, so also, by you, O auspicious one, appear endued with every virtue.
Wait a short whole more that is measured by a half month, when the thirteenth year is full and you shall become the empress.
Draupadi said:
O Bhima, I am unable to endure my griefs; it is out of sheer grief, I have shed these tears, I do not rebuke the king (Yudhishthira).
O Bhimsena, what is the use of dwelling on what is passed. Be ready for the present.
O Bhima, Kaikeyi, fearing that the king might take a fancy for me for my beauty, tries how to send me away from this place.
Understanding her intention, that wicked-souled Kichaka of sinful conduct, always solicits me himself.
O Bhima, getting enraged with him and then again suppressing my anger I said to Kichaka, rendered senseless by lust (in the following words) - O Kichaka save yourself; I am the dear queen and wife of five Gandharvas; those heroes if enraged will kill you who are going to act so rashly."
Thus addressed, the wicked-souled Kichaka answered, saying "O Sairandhri of beautiful smile, I am never afraid of the Gandharvas.
I will do away with a hundred thousand Gandharvas in battle, O timid one, give me your consent.”
Thus replied to, I addressed again that lust stricken Suta saying, "you are no rival to those illustrious Gandharvas.
Born of a noble family and endued with good disposition, do I even regard virtue as my stay and never wish for the death of any one. O Kichaka, therefore you live still.
Thus addressed, that wicked-souled Kichaka burst out into a loud laughter. Then Kaikeyi, out of affection for her brother, and previously urged by him and having a mind to do good to him, sent me to Kichaka saying, “O auspicious one, bring wine from Kichaka's house."
Beholding me, the Suta's son began to court me in sweet words; when his court failed, he became enraged and attempted to use violence on me.
Having understood the intention of that wicked-souled Kichaka, I ran with speed to the royal protection.
In the presence of the king, I was thrown down on the ground and kicked by the Suta's son of wicked soul.
This scene was witnessed by Virata, Kanka and many others, namely the charioteers, royal favorites, elephant riders, and merchants. Then he was neither prevented nor any punishment was inflicted on him by the king.
This very Kichaka is the principal ruler of the king Virata. He is devoid of virtue, cruel, favoured by the king and liked by women at large.
That wicked-souled Kichaka is war-like, proud, outrager of female modesty and engrossed in all objects of pleasure; O blessed one, he acquires plenty of money (from the king).
He extorts money from others, even if they cry in woe; he never stays in paths of rectitude nor does he even feel inclined to virtue.
He is wicked-souled, of sinful disposition, impudent, villaneous and afflicted by Cupid's shaft. Although I have repeatedly rejected him, he will, I am sure, outrage me, whenever he happens to see me, and then I shall surely give up my life; although you are striving to acquire that virtue but on my death, surely you will lose that great one.
You, who are trying to keep your pledge, will lose your wife; wife being protected, one's offspring will be protected.
Offspring being protected, soul is saved. In a wife one's own self is begotten and it is therefore the wife is called Jaya by the wise.
The wife should also protect the husband, thinking "How then can he take his birth in my womb?” I have heard it from Brahmanas, who are expert in expounding the duties of all orders.
There is no other duty of Kshatriyas but the repressing of their foes. Taking no notice of the presence of Dharmaraja, as well as of yours, O mighty Bhimasena, Kichaka kicked me.
It was you that rescued me from that terrible Jatasura, it was you only, who also with the help of your brothers, defeated Jayadratha. I entreat you to kill this wretch who has insulted me.
O Bharata, Kichaka, out of confidence that he is a favourite of the king, causes woe to me. I solicit you to crush this beloved one maddened with lust, even as an earthen pot dashed against a stone.
If, O Bharata, the men make him rise up again in the morning living, who is the root of all these griefs of mine, I shall mix poison with some drink and swallow it up, but never shall I yield myself to the power of Kichaka. O Bhimasena, certainly death is preferable to me in the very sight of you.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this, Krishna, lying on the breast of Bhima, began to weep. Having clasped her, Bhima also afforded her a great consolation.
Having consoled that greatly afflicted lady of slender waist in various ways, and having wiped with his hands her face flooded with tears, Bhima filled with ire, began to think of Kichaka in his mind, licking repeatedly the corners of his mouth with his tongue; and he addressed the daughter of Drupada afflicted with woe with words replete with reason.
Bhima said:
O gentle one, I will do that which you say. O timid one, I will kill Kichaka today with all his friends.
O Yagaseni of beautiful smile, having given up your sorrow and grief do so as will bring him on good terms with you on tomorrow’s evening.
There is the dancing house which the king of the Matsya's has caused to be built; there the girls dance during the day and retire to their respective homes at night.
In that hall there is a bedstead fixed firm and conveniently placed; there I will make him see the spirits of his deceased manes.
In course of holding conversation with him, do such as others might not see you. O auspicious one, also manage in such a way as he might come near you.
Vaishampayana said:
Having thus held their mutual conversation, and shedding tears in grief, they both awaited the dawn of that night with an anxious heart.
That night being passed, Kichaka rose up in the morning, and having gone to the royal house, addressed Draupadi in the following terms.
I hurled you down in the court and kicked you in the very presence of the king. Having fallen under the grasp of my mighty self you could not obtain deliverance.
Virata is said to be the king of the Matsya's, but that only in name; lord of the forces, it is I alone who am verily the king of the Matsya's.
O timid one, accept me happily; I shall become your slave. O you of beautiful hips, I shall give you anon a hundred Nishkas and a hundred male and a hundred female servants. I shall also bestow on you cars yoked with mules; O beautiful one, let us be united.
Draupadi said:
O Kichaka, (I agree to this now, this is my condition, that you should accede to (do so); neither your friends nor your brothers may know that we are united. I am really afraid of the detection by those renowned Gandharvas. If you promise me this, I shall certainly be yours.
Kichaka said:
O you of beautiful hips, I will do what you say; overcome by the god of love O gentle one, I shall go alone to your lonely abode for the purpose of being united with you, so that, O you of elegant thighs, the Gandharvas, as brilliant as the sun, might not be able to see you.
Behold there is the dancing hall erected by the king of the Matsya's. Here the girls dance during the day and retire to their respective homes at night.
Everywhere there surrounds darkness so, come to see me there. The Gandharvas do not know that place. No doubt, the vice too shall be removed by reason of meeting there.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, thinking of the conversation she had with Kichaka, that half day appeared to Krishna as long as a whole month.
Thereupon she again informed Bhimasena of his conduct; Kichaka too, going to his house, was filled with joy.
That stupid could not understand that his death was in the shape of Sairandhri and he became especially busy with perfumeries, ornaments and garlands.
He, then possessed by lust adorned himself speedily. While he was doing this and thinking of the female with large eyes, the time appeared to him to be long; and the beauty which was about to forsake him, appeared to him to be increased,
Like the wick of a burning lamp at the time of its expiration. Placing perfect confidence in her, Kichaka, possessed by lust,
Thinking of the meeting could not perceive that the day had passed away. Thereupon going to Bhima in the kitchen Draupadi.
Of auspiciousness, sat by his husband, the descendant of Kuru; that lady of beautiful hair said to him: “O slayer of foes, as directed by you, I have given Kichaka to understand that our meeting shall take place in the theater hall. Kichaka shall come to that empty dancing-hall.
Alone at night, O son of Kunti, slay him, that son of a Suta inflated with pride.
O Pandava, going to that dancing hall, take his life. From pride only, that son of a Suta slights the Gandharvas.
O you the best of repressors, lift him up like (Krishna) lifting up the serpent from the lake. O Pandava, wipe my tears who am stricken with grief; may good betide you; save your own honor and that of your family.
Bhimasena said:
O fair and timid lady, I shall do what you say, welcome, O fair damsel, you, who have communicated this pleasant news to me.
O beautiful lady, I do not wish to have any other help from you. My joy on hearing from you of my coming encounter with Kichaka is equal to what I felt when I slew Hidimba. I swear this by truth, morality and my brothers.
I shall slay Kichaka as did the king of the celestials Vitra; secretly or openly, I shall crush Kichaka.
If the Matsya's side with him, I shall kill them too; and then slaying Duryodhana, I shall regain the earth; let Kunti's son Yudhishthira continue to pay his homage to the king of the Matsya's.
Draupadi said:
O lord, if you do not wish to transgress the pledge you have taken to me, you should, of Partha, slay Kichaka in secret.
Bhimasena said;
O timid lady, I shall do what you say; I shall slay today Kichaka with his friends.
O you of faultless feature, hidden from the view of others in darkness, I shall crush, as an elephant crushes a Vela fruit, the head of the wicked Kichaka, who desires for a thing that cannot be acquired by him.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon going there hidden at night, Bhima sat expecting Kichaka like a lion for deer.
Having adorned himself to his liking, Kichaka arrived at the dancing hall at the appointed hour with a view to meet Panchali.
Considering this as sign, he entered there. Entering the hall enshrouded in darkness, that highly wicked one, came up to Bhima of unequalled prowess, who had gone there before and was waiting in a corner.
Suta's son approached him who was lying on a bed, burning in anger begotten of the insult (offered to Krishna).
Approaching him, Kichaka possessed by lust, having his heart filled with delight, smilingly said.
I have already given to you immense and various wealth and for you a hundred maid servants, with riches and jems and finest robes; O you of air eye-brows, also a palace with inner apartment filled with beautiful, lovely and youthful maid servants and adorned with various sorts of sports and amusements. Having arranged all this, I have all on a sudden come here; the women of my house have begun to praise me, saying: 'There is none like you amongst all the people so well-dressed and beautiful.'
Bhimasena said:
By my good fortune, you are handsome and you are praising yourself; I think you had not before any such pleasurable touch.
I consider your touch as burning and you are an expert at gallantry. I do not see any other man like you favourite to women.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this to him, and jumping up all on a sudden, the mighty-armed Bhima, the son of Kunti, endued with dreadful prowess, smilingly said.
Your sister shall behold you, vile as you are, today drawn by me on earth, like a mighty elephant huge as a mountain dragged by another to the ground.
You being slain, Sairandhri shall wander unobstructed and we, her husbands, shall live happily.
The highly powerful Bhima seized him by the hair which were adorned with garlands. Thus caught with force by the hair, that foremost of the powerful, speedily freed his hair and grasped the arms of Bhima. Then there arose a hand to hand fight between those who foremost of men worked up with anger.
The fight of Kichaka and the foremost of men was like that between two powerful elephants for one she-elephants in the season of spring,
Or like what took place in the days of yore between the two leading monkeys the brothers Bali and Sugriva. Both equally enraged and desirous of victory,
They raised up their arms like two snakes having five hoods; and worked up with the poison of anger, they attacked each other with nails and teeth.
Being struck with great force by the powerful Kichaka, the resolute (Bhima) did not waver a step in the encounter.
Then embracing and dragging each other, they appeared there like two powerful bulls.
They having nails and teeth for their weapon, there arose a fierce and great encounter between them like that between two maddened tigers.
Throwing each other down with their arms and then again seizing in great anger, they fought like two elephants with rent temples.
Then the powerful Bhima seized Kichaka, and Kichaka too, the foremost of the strong, again threw him down with force.
Those two powerful (heroes) thus fighting, the crush of their arms engendered a sound resembling the clatter of splitting bamboo's.
Then throwing Kichaka down with great force in the room, Vrikodara tossed him about with velocity, as a hurricane tosses a tree.
Being thus assailed by the powerful Bhima in the encounter, he grew weak, trembled and tugged at the Pandava to his very best.
Making him waver a little, the powerful Kichaka speedily stuck Bhima on the breast with his knees and felled him on the ground.
Being thrown on the ground by the powerful Kichaka, Bhima rose up again with force, like Yama with mace in his hands.
Then both Suta and Pandava, maddened with their strength, challenged and grappled with each other at night in that secluded hall.
While enraged they wee thus roaring at each other, that best of houses shook at every moment.
Slapped on the breast by the powerful Bhima, Kichaka worked up with anger, did not move for a single step.
Bearing for a moment the force which is incapable of being born on earth, Suta, belaboured by Bhima, grew enfeebled.
And seeing that he was growing weak, the highly powerful Bhimasena drawing him forcibly to his breast began to press him who was senseless.
Breathing hard again and again in anger, Vrikodara the foremost of the victorious held him up always by the hair.
Seizing Kichaka, the powerful Bhima began to roar like a hunger tiger that has slain a large animal.
Thereupon on serving him greatly exhausted, Vrikodara bound him fast with his arms like one binding a beast with a rope.
Then Bhima began to whirl him who was senseless, for a considerable time, and he roared terribly like a discordant bugle.
Then to console Krishna, Vrikodara got hold of Kichaka's throat with his arms and began to squeeze it.
Then striking with his knees the waist of that wretch of Kichaka, all whose limbs had been broken into pieces and whose eye-lids were closed, that descendant of Pandu killed him like one killing a beast. Then beholding Kichaka senseless,
He rolled him on earth and said: "Killing this wretch who has wished to ravish our wife, this thorn of Sairandhri, I am freed from the debt I owed to my brother and am in peace."
Saying this, that foremost of men, with eyes reddened with ire, left off Kichaka, whose dress and ornaments had been thrown off his body, whose eyes were rolling and who was even then trembling.
Squeezing his own hand and biting his lips in anger, that foremost of the powerful, attacked him with great force and thrust his arms, legs, neck and head into his body, as did the holder of Pinaka the beast.
The highly-powerful Bhimasena then showed him to Krishna; all his limbs were crushed and he was reduced into a ball of flesh.
Gifted with great energy (as he was) he said to Draupadi, that best of women “Behold, O Panchali, what I have done of this hurtful wretch."
Saying this, O king, Bhima, endued with dreadful prowess, struck with his foot the body of that vicious-souled one.
Then lighting a lamp there and showing her Kichaka, that hero addressed the following to Panchali.
“O you of fair hair, O timid damsel, all those who seek you who are gifted with a good character and accomplishments, will be slain by me like this Kichaka."
Performing that difficult work, highly pleasing to Krishna, and slaying Kichaka, his anger was pacified.
Bidding farewell to Draupadi, he speedily went to the kitchen. Having brought about the destruction of Kichaka, Draupadi too, the foremost of females.
Delighted and having her grief removed, said to the guards of the assembly-hall; 'This Kichaka has been slain by my Gandharva husbands. He who desired for another's wife; come and see." Hearing her words the guards of the assembly-hall.
Came there by thousands, with torches in their hands. And going to that room they saw Kichaka fallen on the ground lifeless, bathing in a pool of blood. Beholding him without arms and legs they were pained.
When they saw him they were struck with wonder. Seeing that super-human work of his destruction.
(They said) : “Where is his neck, where are his feet, arms and where is his head." They then concluded that he had been slain by the Gandharvas.
Vaishampayana said:
Coming there at that time and beholding Kichaka and surrounding him all sides his friends began to lament.
Then beholding Kichaka with all his limbs mangled like a tortoise brought to the land, the hairs of their bodies stood erect and they were filled with fear.
Then seeing him crushed by Bhimasena like a Danava by Indra they tried to take him out side for performing his obsequial ceremonies.
Then the assembled sons of Suta beheld Krishna of faultless features standing hard by reclining on a pillar.
Amongst those assembled, some wicked Kichaka's exclaimed : "soon kill this unchaste woman for whom Kichaka has been slain.
Or without slaying her, let us burn her, with him who desired to have her; for we should do by all means what was liked by the deceased son of a Suta."
Then they said to Virata: “For her, Kichaka has been slain; we shall burn her with him; it behoves you to give permission.”
O King, knowing well the prowess of Sutas, he gave them permission to burn down Sairandhri with Suta's son.
Then approaching terrified Krishna, stricken with stupor and having lotus eyes the Kichaka's caught hold of her violently.
Then binding that youthful damsel and placing her upon the bier they started with great joy towards the cremation ground.
Being thus carried away by the sons of Suta, O king, the faultless featured and chaste Krishna, having lord, bewailed for the help of her husbands.
Draupadi said:
Let Jaya, Jayanta, Vijaya, Jayatsena and Jayadbala hear my words. The Sutas are taking me away.
Let those powerful and quick-coursing Gandharvas, the clatter of whose cars is very great and the twang of whose bows in a great encounter is heard like the roar of thunder, understand that the Sutas are taking me away.
Vaishampayana said:
Hearing those sorrowful words and bewailing of Krishna, Bhima, without reflecting the least, got up from his bed.
Bhimasena said:
I have heard those which O Sairandhri, you have said; you have no fear any more, O timid lady, from the Sutas.
Vaishampayana said:
Having said this, the mighty-armed; Bhima, to slay them, began to swell his body and then carefully changing his dress.
He went out of the palace by a wrong way. Then speedily scaling the walls, Bhimasena.
Went to the cremation ground where the Kichaka's had-gone. Then scaling the walls and issuing out of the excellent city.
Bhima furiously rushed before the Sutas. And going near the funeral pyre he saw there a tree.
Tall as a palmyra, with huge branches and with red top; then holding it like an elephant with his arms, he uprooted it.
Measuring ten Vyamas and placed it on his shoulders. Then taking that tree up with its trunk and branches, measuring ten Vyamas that slayer of foes rushed towards the Sutas like Yama with mace in his hand. By the velocity of his movement, the banian, Nyagrodha, Kinshukh and other trees fell down on earth an lay in a heap. Beholding that Gandharva approach enraged like a lion, all those Sutas were afraid and trembled in sorrow and fear. Then beholding the Gandharva approach like death, the Kichaka's cremated their eldest brother and spoke amongst themselves trembling in fear and sorrow.
"Here comes the powerful Gandharva enraged uprooting a tree. Soon release Sairandhri from whom this fear has come."
Then seeing the tree that had been uprooted by Bhimaseni they set Draupadi free and ran towards the city.
Beholding them thus taking to their heels, the powerful Bhima, the son of the Wind-god, dispatched with that tree, O king, hundred and five of them to the abode of death, like the wielder of thunder-bolt, the Danavas. Then releasing Krishna he comforted her.
Then the irrepressible mighty-armed Vrikodara Bhima said to the poor Panchali, Draupadi, with tearful eyes.
Then, O timid lady, all those from whom proceeded you misery, have been killed. Return O Krishna, to the city, you have no fear. I shall go to Virata's kitchen by another way.
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of Bharata, thus there were slain hundred and five of them (as if) a huge forest over-spread with uprooted trees.
Thus, O king, one hundred and five Kichaka's were killed. Including the commander-in-chief who was slain before, they were one hundred and six.
Beholding that wonderful deed men and women assembled ; O descendant of Bharata, they were filled with surprise and could not speak any thing.
Vaishampayana said:
Beholding the Suta's slain, people went and communicated to the king: "O king, the highly powerful sons of Suta have been slain by the Gandharvas.
The Suta's are to be seen scattered on the surface of the earth like huge mountain summits clapped by thunder-bolt.
And released Sairandhri comes back to your city; your (whole ) city, O king, indeed shall be in danger.
Sairandhri is highly beautiful and the Gandharvas are greatly powerful and forsooth, men are undoubtedly lustful.
Soon find out some means 'O king, by which your kingdom may not be ruined on account of the injuries done to Sairandhri.'
Hearing their words, Virata, the king of armies, said: "Perform the obsequial rites of the Sutas."
Let all the Kichaka's be burnt down on one burning, funeral pyre with profuse jems and perfumes.
Then filled with fear, the king said to his queen Sudeshna: 'When Sairandhri comes, tell her these words of mine.
Go Sairandhri, wherever you like; may good betide you, O fair one, O you having beautiful eye-brows, the king is afraid of defeat from the Gandharvas.
I dare not speak all this to you in person, protected as you are by the Gandharvas. A woman cannot offend (any body) so I speak this through her.
Vaishampayana said:
Thus released by Bhimasena after the destruction of Sutas, the intelligent Krishna freed from fear, washed her body and raiment in water and went towards the city like a doe put to fright by a tiger.
Beholding her, O king, people fled away in all directions in fear of the Gandharvas and some even shut up their eyes.
Then, O king, Panchali saw Bhimsena, waiting at the Kitchen door like a huge infuriated elephant.
She wonderingly said to him in words intelligible to them: "Salutation to that king of Gandharvas by whom I have been released.
Bhima said:
Hearing these words of hers under which those persons were till then living in that city, they will now live there freed from debt.
Vaishampayana said:
She there saw the mighty-armed Dhananjaya in the dancing hall giving instructions in dancing to the daughter o the king Virata.
Then coming out with Arjuna from the dancing hall, those daughters saw the innocent Krishna (though ) sorely persecuted coming. Beholding her arrive there they all delightedly said.
The Daughters said:
By good luck, O Sairandhri, you have been released and by good-luck you have returned. And by good luck the Sutas have been slain from whom this your misery came.
Brihannala said:
Have you been released, O Sairandhri, and have those wicked men been slain? I wish to hear all this exactly as it happened.
Sairandhri said:
O blessed Brihnnala, you always live happily in the apartment of the girls, what have you to do with Sairandhri?
You shall not meet with grief when Sairandhri does it. You are asking me thus in jest who am stricken with sorrow.
Brihannala said:
O blessed lady, Brihannala also has sorrow of her own without any comparison; she has been born in the species of brutes, you do not understand this, O girl.
I have lived with you and you also have lived with us; why should not one, O you of beautiful hips, feel sorrow for you who are afflicted with sorrow.
No one can definitely read another's heart; therefore O fair one, you cannot understand me.
Then accompanied by those girls Draupadi entered the palace with a view to appear before Sudeshna.
Then the queen communicated to her Virata's words: 'Sairandhri, soon go wherever you wish.
O fair one, the king is afraid of the defeat from the Gandharvas. O you of beautiful eye-brows, you are youthful and in beauty, unparalleled on earth. You are an object of desire to men and the Gandharvas are wrathful.
Sairandhri said:
O fair queen, let the king permit me to live here for thirteen days more. Undoubtedly the Gandharvas shall be highly obliged for this.
They will then take me away from here and will do what is agreeable to you. Forsooth the king with his friends shall meet with well- being.
End of Kichaka-Vadha Parva
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