03.248
draupadī-haraṇa-parva
Section on the abduction of Draupadī
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tasmin bahu-mṛge 'raṇye ramamāṇā mahārathāḥ। kāmyake bharataśreṣṭhā vijahrus te yathāmarāḥ॥03-248-1॥
In that forest abounding with deer, the great chariot-warriors, the best of the Bhāratas, enjoyed themselves in Kāmyaka just like the gods. (03-248-1)
prekṣamāṇā bahuvidhān vanoddeśān samantataḥ। yathārtu-kāla-ramyāś ca vana-rājīḥ supuṣpitāḥ॥03-248-2॥
She looked about at many kinds of forest regions on every side, and at the rows of forests beautifully blossoming in their proper season. (03-248-2)
pāṇḍavā mṛgayāśīlāś carantas tanmahāvanam। vijahrur indrapratimāḥ kañcit kālam ariṃdamāḥ॥03-248-3॥
The Pandavas, who were fond of hunting, roamed that great forest and, being as powerful as Indra, spent some time there enjoying themselves, those subduers of enemies. (03-248-3)
tatas te yaugapadyena yayuḥ sarve caturdiśam। mṛgayāṃ puruṣavyāghrā brāhmaṇārthe parantapāḥ ॥03-248-4॥
Then all of them, the tiger-men and destroyers of foes, set out simultaneously in the four directions to hunt for the sake of the brāhmaṇa. (03-248-4)
draupadīm āśrame nyasya tṛṇabindor anujñayā। maharṣer dīptatapaso dhaumyasya ca purodhasaḥ ॥03-248-5॥
Draupadī was left in the hermitage with the permission of Tṛṇabindu, the great sage of blazing austerity, and Dhaumya the priest. (03-248-5)
tatastu rājā sindhūnāṁ vārdhakhatrirmahāyaśāḥ। vivāhakāmaḥ śālveyānprayātaḥ so'bhavattadā ॥03-248-6॥
Then, however, the greatly renowned king of the Sindhus, Vārdhakhatri, who desired a marriage, set out for Śālva at that time. (03-248-6)
mahatā paribarheṇa rājayogyena saṁvṛtaḥ। rājabhirbahubhiḥ sārdhamupāyātkāmyakaṁ ca saḥ॥03-248-7॥
He, accompanied by a great retinue suitable for a king and surrounded by many kings, came to Kāmyaka as well. (03-248-7)
tatrāpaśyat priyāṃ bhāryāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśasvinīm| tiṣṭhantīm āśramadvāri draupadīṃ nirjane vane ॥03-248-8॥
There he saw Draupadī, the illustrious and beloved wife of the Pāṇḍavas, standing at the entrance of the hermitage in the lonely forest. (03-248-8)
vibhrājamānāṃ vapuṣā bibhratīṃ rūpam uttamam। bhrājayantīṃ vanoddeśaṃ nīlābhram iva vidyutam ॥03-248-9॥
Radiant in form, bearing an excellent appearance, she illuminated the forest region like lightning brightens a dark cloud. (03-248-9)
apsarā devakanyā vā māyā vā devanirmitā। iti kṛtvāñjaliṃ sarve dadṛśustāmaninditām ॥03-248-10॥
Considering her as a celestial nymph, a divine maiden, an illusion, or one created by the gods, all with joined palms gazed upon that blameless lady. (03-248-10)
tataḥ sa rājā sindhūnāṃ vārdhākṣatirjayadrathaḥ। vismitastāmanindyāṅgīṃ dṛṣṭvā āsīddhṛṣṭamānasaḥ॥03-248-11॥
Then Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus and son of Vṛddhakṣatra, was astonished on seeing her with faultless limbs and became confident. (03-248-11)
sa koṭikāśyaṃ rājānam abravīt kāmamohitaḥ। kasya tveṣānavadyāṅgī yadi vāpi na mānuṣī॥03-248-12॥
Deluded by desire, he said to King Koṭikāśya, “Whose is this woman with faultless limbs, or is she even not human?” (03-248-12)
vivāhārtho na me kaścid imāṃ dṛṣṭvā ati-sundarīm. etām eva aham ādāya gamiṣyāmi sva-mālayam ॥03-248-13॥
No one has come to me with marriage in mind after seeing this very beautiful girl. I will take only her and go to my own abode. (03-248-13)
gaccha jānīhi saumyainām kasya kā ca kuto'pi vā. kimarthamāgatā subhrūridaṃ kaṇṭakitaṃ vanam ॥03-248-14॥
Go, gentle one, find out whose, who she is and from where she may have come. For what purpose has this beautiful-browed lady come to this thorn-filled forest? (3-248-14)
api nāma varārohā mām eṣā lokasundarī। bhajed adya āyatāpāṅgī sudatī tanumadhyamā ॥03-248-15॥
Oh, if only, by chance, this beautiful-hipped, world-renowned beauty with long eyes, lovely teeth, and a slender waist, might choose me today. (03-248-15)
apyahaṃ kṛtakāmaḥ syām imāṃ prāpya varastriyam। gaccha jānīhi ko nvasyā nātha ity eva koṭika ॥03-248-16॥
Indeed, having won this excellent woman, I may become one whose desires are fulfilled. Go and find out, Koṭika, who her lord is. (03-248-16)
sa koṭikāśyastacchrutvā rathāt praskandya kuṇḍalī| upetya papraccha tadā kroṣṭā vyāghravadūm iva ॥03-248-17॥
Then Koṭikāśya, having heard that, Kuṇḍalī leapt down from the chariot and, approaching, questioned the jackal like the tiger's wife. (3-248-17)
