03.144
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, as the great-souled Pāṇḍavas had just started their journey, Draupadī, unaccustomed to travel on foot, sat down. (03-144-1)
Panchali, the illustrious lady, became tired, afflicted by suffering and by the wind and rain, and from her own delicacy she fainted. (03-144-2)
She, overcome with delusion and falling, the one with bright eyes, supported herself on her rounded and well-proportioned thighs using both arms. (3-144-3)
Clinging, her thighs pressed together like elephant trunks, she suddenly collapsed onto the ground, trembling like a plantain tree. (3-144-4)
Nakula, the mighty one, rushed toward her—prepared, of excellent stature, as she was falling like a creeper—and seized her. (03-144-5)
Nakula said.
O king, look upon this daughter of the king of the Pāñcālas, she with dark eyes, tired and fallen on the ground, O Bhārata. (03-144-6)
This gentle lady, who does not deserve suffering but has encountered great pain and is worn by fatigue—O great king, console her. (03-144-7)
Vaiśampāyana said.
But the king, greatly afflicted with sorrow by his words, and Bhima and Sahadeva suddenly approached together. (03-144-8)
But seeing her emaciated and with a pale face, the righteous son of Kunti, distressed, placed her on his lap and began to lament. (03-144-9)
How does she, who is accustomed to well-spread beds in well-protected houses and worthy of comfort, now lie fallen on the ground, she of excellent complexion? (03-144-10)
How have the very delicate feet and the lotus-radiant face of the best-deserving lady come to be darkened today for my sake? (03-144-11)
What have I, out of desire for gambling and in my foolishness, done? Having brought Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), I wander in a forest full of herds of deer. (03-144-12)
Pāñcālī, after obtaining the Pāṇḍavas as husbands, will attain happiness; thus, the wide-eyed one was given by her father King Drupada. (03-144-13)
She, not having attained all that, emaciated by fatigue and sorrow, lies fallen on the ground by the actions of my sin. (03-144-14)
Thus, as Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira was lamenting, Dhaumya and all the foremost Brāhmaṇas arrived there. (03-144-15)
They comforted him and honored him with blessings; they also recited mantras that destroy demons and performed rituals. (03-144-16)
As the supreme sages recited the mantras for the sake of peace, she was repeatedly touched by the cool hands of the Pāṇḍavas. (03-144-17)
Attended by a cool breeze mixed with water, Pañcālī (Draupadī) gradually regained consciousness and comfort. (03-144-18)
They embraced the distressed woman, and then, on the black-deer-skin seat, they let the ascetic regain her strength once she had returned to consciousness. (03-144-19)
They gently massaged her two feet, which had red soles and marks of worship, with their ornamented hands. (03-144-20)
Yudhiṣṭhira, the king of righteousness, consoled her as well, and then the foremost of the Kurus spoke these words to Bhīmasena. (03-144-21)
O mighty-armed one, there are many mountains, terrible, uneven and difficult because of snow; how indeed will Kṛṣṇā move among them? (03-144-22)
Bhimasena said.
O king, I myself will lead you, the princess, and the two sons of Yama, foremost among men. O lord of kings, do not let your mind fall into despair. (03-144-23)
Then, O sinless one, this Ghaṭotkaca, the bird born by me and equal to my strength, might carry all of us by your command. (03-144-24)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Permitted by Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma remembered his Rākṣasa son; and Ghaṭotkaca, the righteous one, appeared at once upon being remembered by his father. With joined palms, after saluting, he then approached the Pāṇḍavas. (03-144-25)
The great-armed one, after being welcomed by those Brāhmaṇas, addressed Bhīmasena, his father endowed with true valor. (03-144-26)
"I am remembered by you; quickly, desiring to serve, I have come. Command me, O mighty-armed one; I will do everything without doubt." Having heard that, Bhimasena embraced the rākṣasa. (03-144-27)
