02.062
Core-Pancharatra: Bhima says he is silent, because all of them consider Yudhisthira to be their lord.
Draupadī said.
I did not accomplish the task that was to be done earlier; the later duty remains. I am now distressed, having been forcibly dragged by this strong one. (2-62-1)
I offer salutations to these elders in the Kuru assembly. Let it not be an offence to me that this was not done by me. (2-62-2)
Vaiśampāyana said.
She, shaken by him and by sorrow, that ascetic woman, having fallen, lamented this in the assembly, being unaccustomed to such a situation. (2-62-3)
Draupadī said.
At the svayaṃvara, I, who was seen by the assembled kings in the arena and had not been seen before elsewhere, have today entered the assembly. (2-62-4)
She, whom neither the wind nor the sun had ever seen before in the house, today I am seen in the midst of the assembly of the Kurus. (2-62-5)
She, whom even the wind could not touch in the house before, is now endured by the Pāṇḍavas as she is touched by the evil-minded today. (2-62-6)
I think these Kurus are enduring only because of the change of time. Both the daughter-in-law and the daughter, though suffering, do not deserve such hardship. (2-62-7)
What could be more wretched from you, that I, a chaste and auspicious woman, must today enter the midst of the assembly? Where indeed is the righteousness of the kings? (2-62-8)
We have heard that, in earlier times, righteous women were not brought into the assembly. That ancient and eternal dharma has now been lost among the Kauravas. (2-62-9)
How can the wife of the Pāṇḍavas, Draupadī, who is the chaste sister of the son of Pṛṣata and friend of Vāsudeva, enter the assembly of the kings? (2-62-10)
O Kauravas, tell me whether this wife of Dharmarāja, who is of similar complexion, is a slave-woman or not; I will do that.
This petty destroyer of the Kauravas' fame torments me greatly; O Kauravas, I will not be able to endure this for long. (2-62-12)
Whether you consider us conquered or unconquered, O kings, I wish to reply in the same way; that I will do, O Kauravas. (2-62-13)
Bhīṣma said.
I have told you, O auspicious one, that even the Brāhmaṇas of great soul cannot attain the supreme state of dharma in this world. (2-62-14)
But as a powerful man perceives righteousness in the world, so that righteousness is declared by others at the time of judgment. (2-62-15)
I cannot definitively answer your question, because of the subtlety, profundity, and seriousness of this matter. (2-62-16)
Surely, the end of this family will come soon, for all the Kauravas are indeed wholly given over to greed and delusion. (2-62-17)
O blessed one, those born in noble families, even when greatly afflicted by misfortune, do not stray from the path of righteousness, just as you, our bride, have remained steadfast. (2-62-18)
O Pāñcālī, your conduct is indeed appropriate, for even in great difficulty, you look only to righteousness. (2-62-19)
These people—Droṇa and others, the elders, and the knowers of dharma—stand here with empty bodies, as if their life-breaths have departed, bent over. (2-62-20)
But as for Yudhishthira, in this matter, my opinion is that he himself is the authority to declare whether he is unconquered or conquered. (2-62-21)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, seeing all that, the kings, frightened of Dhritarashtra's son, did not utter a word, good or bad, as she cried out like an afflicted female curlew. (2-62-22)
Seeing those kings, princes, and grandsons fall silent, the son of Dhritarashtra, with a smile, addressed these words to the daughter of the king of Panchala at that moment. (2-62-23)
Let this question remain among the noble-hearted—Bhīma, Arjuna, Sahadeva, and your husband Nakula, O Yājñaseni. Let these men speak the word that has arisen from you. (2-62-24)
Let them proclaim Yudhishthira as lordless among the noble for your sake, O Pāñcālī. Let all declare Dharmarāja to be false, O Pāñcālī; you will thus be freed from servitude. (2-62-25)
Dharmarāja, the great-souled, established in dharma, himself, equal to Indra, may tell this. Whether he is your lord or not, from this statement, quickly choose one. (2-62-26)
All these Kauravas in the assembly are indeed yours, now enduring another sorrow. The noble ones do not speak as they should, having seen your husbands, who are of little fortune. (2-62-27)
Then all the members of the Kuru king's assembly there loudly praised that speech; they waved their garments and shouted, and there arose cries of 'Alas!' and exclamations, and a great sound was heard. All the kings were full of joy, honoring the righteous best of the Kurus. (2-62-28)
All the kings looked together at Yudhishthira, their faces attentive, wondering, 'What will the knower of dharma say?' (2-62-29)
What will the Pāṇḍava, the conqueror of Bībhatsu (Arjuna), say in battle? Bhīmasena and the two sons of Yama (Nakula and Sahadeva) are all greatly filled with curiosity. (2-62-30)
When the sound had ceased, Bhīmasena, taking his broad, rounded arm smeared with sandalwood, spoke these words. (2-62-31)
If this elder of ours, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, were not the lord of this family, we would not tolerate it. (2-62-32)
He, the lord of us, of those who have performed meritorious austerities, and even of lives, the master, thinks that the self is conquered if he is conquered—(but in truth) it is we who are conquered. (2-62-33)
Indeed, while alive, one who touches the ground with his foot and touches these hairs of Pāñcālī, subject to mortal nature, would not be released. (2-62-34)
Behold my two long, rounded arms, like iron bars. Not even Indra could escape if he were caught between them. (2-62-35)
Because I am bound by the noose of dharma, I do not encounter difficulty; I am also restrained by respect and by Arjuna's control. (2-62-36)
But, if sent forth by king Yudhiṣṭhira, I would crush these wicked sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra with my mace and sword, just as a lion crushes small animals. (2-62-37)
Then Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Vidura said to him, "Let it be forgiven; thus, everything becomes possible in you." (2-62-38)
