04.013
The section of Kīcaka's slaying
Vaiśampāyana said.
While the Pāṇḍavas were hiding in the city of Matsya at that time, ten months passed by as those great warriors remained concealed. (04-13-1)
O Janamejaya! Draupadī, though deserving of the highest honor, dwelt in great suffering at the palace of Sudeṣṇā, serving her, O lord of the people. (04-13-2)
Thus, as Panchali was wandering in Sudeṣnā’s mansion, the commander of Virata, who had a lotus-like face, saw her. (04-13-3)
Seeing her, who shone like a divine being and walked like a goddess, Kīcaka was overcome with desire, pierced by the arrows of passion. (04-13-4)
But he, inflamed by the fire of desire, approached Sudeṣṇā; as if smiling, the commander spoke these words. (04-13-5)
This auspicious woman, I have never seen here before at any time in the palace of King Virāṭa. By her beauty she seems to greatly intoxicate me, and by her fragrance she has become like wine, this beautiful lady. (04-13-6)
O auspicious lady, who is that one of divine form who has entered my heart? Tell me, who is she, and from where is that beautiful woman? For indeed, my mind, having been stirred, has brought me under its control; and today I do not see any other remedy for this. (4-13-7)
Indeed, this beautiful attendant of yours, who appears to me as freshly beautiful, is acting unsuitably; let whoever is in charge instruct me, and let them have whatever of mine there is. (04-13-8)
May this house of mine, with many elephants, horses, and chariots, great wealth, abounding in prosperity, plentiful drink and food, charming and adorned with varied golden ornaments, brilliantly shine. (4-13-9)
Then, after taking leave of Sudeṣṇā, Kīcaka approached the king's daughter, and began to speak soothingly to Kṛṣṇā, just like a jackal tries to soothe the lion's daughter in the forest. (04-13-10)
This form and your youth now, O proud lady, are meaningless—like an excellent garland unworn; being charming, O beautiful one, you do not appear so. (04-13-11)
I abandon those old wives of mine; let them become your maidservants, O charming-smiling one. I too, O beautiful one, will remain like your servant, always under your control, O lovely-faced one. (04-13-12)
Draupadī said.
O son of a charioteer, you consider me here as someone not to be sought after—a discolored, dreadful hairdresser Sairandhrī. (04-13-13)
I am another man's wife. Blessings to you. What you are doing is not proper for you now. Wives are dear to all living beings—reflect upon your duty. (04-13-14)
Your mind should never, in any way, be set upon another's wife. Indeed, abstaining from improper actions—this is the vow of a noble person. (04-13-15)
Indeed, a man who is evil-souled, wrongly covetous, and deluded, may obtain terrible disgrace and may encounter very great fear. (04-13-16)
Do not, O Sūta’s son, exult or rejoice—you will lose your life, seeking to obtain me who am protected by heroes and hard to win. (04-13-17)
Nor indeed am I, nor are the Gandharvas—my lords—able to be overpowered by you. They, angry, would kill you; do not bring about ruin rightly. (04-13-18)
You wish to follow a path that is impossible for men, just as an unconscious child standing on the bank wishes to cross to the other side; likewise, as a dull-minded person wishes to cross, so you wish to act. (04-13-19)
Whether you enter the earth or fly upward, or run to the other side of the ocean, still you do not deserve release from them; for the violent ones, the divine sons, are indeed my boons. (04-13-20)
Why do you, like some troubled person haunted by Kālarātrī, so persistently crave me today, Kīcaka? Why do you, like a child lying in its mother's lap who thinks to grasp the moon, imagine you can have me? (04-13-21)
