04.023
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having seen the slain charioteers, they went to the king and informed him: "O king, hundreds of charioteers' sons have been slain by the Gandharvas." (04-23-1)
Just as the great summit of a mountain split by the thunderbolt is seen scattered, so was Sūta on the ground. (04-23-2)
Sairandhrī, having been released, will return again to your house; O king, your entire city will become suspicious. (04-23-3)
Indeed, Sairandhrī of such a form and the mighty Gandharvas are, for men, a desired object of union; there is no doubt. (04-23-4)
Just as the city, through the guise of Sairandhri, does not quickly reach destruction for you, O king, so should policy be established. (04-23-5)
Having heard those words of theirs, Virāṭa, the commander of the army, said: "Let the highest funeral rites be performed for these charioteers." (04-23-6)
Let all your Kīcakas be quickly burned entirely with jewels and perfumes on the same well-kindled fire. (04-23-7)
The king, being filled with fear, said to Queen Sudeshna: 'Tell Sairandhri, who has come, this on my behalf.' (4-23-8)
Go, Sairandhri, may you fare well. Do as you wish, O gentle lady. The king, O beautiful-hipped one, fears being defeated by the Gandharvas. (04-23-9)
Indeed, I am not able to speak about her myself, as she is protected by Gandharvas. Because of your fault, I speak to you about her.
Then Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), released from fear after Bhīmasena drove away the Sūta's sons and freed her, went towards the city. (04-23-11)
She, high-minded like a young doe frightened by a tiger, washed her limbs and clothes with water. (04-23-12)
Seeing her, O King, the men ran away in all ten directions, and some of the Gandharvas, stricken with fear, closed their eyes. (04-23-13)
Thereafter, O king, Pāñcālī saw Bhīmasena standing at the kitchen door, just like a great intoxicated elephant. (04-23-14)
Astonished, she slowly said with gestures: “Obeisance to the king of the Gandharvas, by whom I have been set free.” (04-23-15)
Bhimasena said.
The men who move about here obedient to her, having heard her word, indeed wander free from any debt. (04-23-16)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then she saw Dhanañjaya in the dance hall — the mighty-armed dancer, daughter of King Virāṭa. (04-23-17)
Then, having left the dancing hall with Arjuna, the young women saw Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) approaching—distressed and without fault. (04-23-18)
The maidens said.
By good fortune, O Sairandhri, you have been freed; by good fortune, you have returned; and by good fortune, those charioteers who tormented you despite your innocence have been vanquished. (04-23-19)
Bṛhannaḍa said.
How, O Sairandhri, were you freed? How were your evil-doers killed? I truly wish to hear everything from you exactly as it happened. (04-23-20)
Sairandhri said.
O Bṛhannadā, what is your purpose with Sairandhrī today? You, O auspicious one, always reside happily in the city of maidens. (04-23-21)
Sairandhrī, you do not attain the sorrow that she does. Because of that, you ask me, who am sorrowful, in this way, as if smiling. (04-23-22)
Bṛhannaḍa said.
O virtuous girl, even a hermaphrodite experiences the greatest pain, having entered the womb of lower animals, yet you are not able to recognize her. (04-23-23)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, together with the maidens, Draupadī entered that royal palace, approaching Sudeṣṇā without fleeing. (04-23-24)
The princess addressed her, saying, on the order of Virāṭa: "Sairandhri, quickly go wherever you wish to go." (04-23-25)
The king is afraid, wishing you safety, of defeat at the hands of the Gandharvas; and you too, young lady with lovely eyebrows, are unmatched in beauty on earth. (04-23-26)
Sairandhri said;
O beautiful lady, let the king forgive me for only thirteen days; these gandharvas will undoubtedly have accomplished their purpose. (04-23-27)
After that, they will take me away and do what is pleasing for you. Certainly, the king will prosper and be united with his relatives. (04-23-28)
