कीचक-वध पर्व — द्रौपदीका वचन

Draupadi said Alas, on account of that one skilled in gambling I am under Sudeshna's command, dwelling in the palace in the guise of a Sairandhri.

O repressor of foes, princess as I am, see what pitiful change has come upon me I am living in expectation of a hopeful future, but my misery has reached its extremity.

Accomplishment of purposes and victory and defeat with regard to mortals are of short duration. Thinking this, I am expecting the return of prosperity to my husbands.

Like a wheel prosperity and adversity revolve. Thinking this, I am expecting the return of prosperity to my husbands.

That which becomes a cause of a man's victory may become the cause of his defeat as well. I live in that hope.

O Bhimasena, why do you not consider me as dead? I am told that persons that give may beg, persons that slaughter may be slaughtered by others, and that persons that ever throw others may be over-thrown by enemies. There is nothing difficult for destiny nor can any one over-rule destiny.

It is with this hope, I am expecting the return of favorable fortune; once before where there was water, there comes it back again. Hoping for this change, I am awaiting the return of prosperity.

When a man's business, although brought into a stage of completion, is seen to be endangered then a wise man should strive hard for the getting of good fortune.

Immersed as I am in grief, whether you ask me or not I shall tell you in detail, the purpose of these words now spoken by me.

Queen of the sons of Pandu, and daughter of Drupada, who else but me wishes to live, having been reduced to such a plight?

() repressor of foes, this my misery surely brings humiliation, O Bharata, on all the Kurus, the Panchalas and the Pandavas.

Being surrounded by numerous brothers, father-in-law and sons and thus having ample cause for rejoicing what other woman but myself has become so miserable?

O foremost of the Bharata race, certainly in my childhood I did some wrongful act to Dhata and through his displeasure I have fallen into such a woeful plight.

Behold, O son of Pandu, the paleness of my complexion which even in the extremely miserable life in the forest could not come over me.

O Pritha's son, it is you alone that know what happiness had I in my former days, O Bhima; even I, who was thus circumstance, have now sunk in slavery: paralysed in grief I cannot obtain rest.

As the mighty-armed and terrible bowman Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, lives here, like a fire covered over by ashes, then must I think that all these actions are due to Destiny.

O son of Pritha, it is not possible for people to understand the destiny of creatures. Therefore this your downfall, I think, could not have been thwarted by fore-thought.

Alas, she who has you all resembling Indra always to look after her comforts, even that one, who is so chaste and bears so lofty a station in life, is ministering to the comforts of others who are far below in rank to her.

Though all of you are alive, behold O Pandava, my plight. It is such as is quite undeserving of me. Lo! how times change.

Alas! she, who had the entire earth as far as the verge of the sea under her command, is now living in fear of Sudeshna and in subjugation to her. a

Even she, who had number of dependents to walk both in van and rear, is now walking before and behind Sudeshna. O Kunti's son, listen to another grief of mine; it is unbearable to me.

Even she, who had never pounded unguents for herself except for Kunti, has been now pounding the sandal (for others) O! let good betide you.

O Kunti's son, behold these hands of mine, they were not so before.” Saying this she showed both of her hands marked with corns.

Even that one, who had never feared Kunti nor any of you, now stays a slave in fear before Virata,

(Always do I remain in fear thinking) what the king of kings will say to me as about the unguents if they are not well pounded; because the king of the Matsya's does not like the sandal pounded by others.

Vaishampayana said Narrating her woes to Bhimasena, O Bharata, the lady Krishna wept silently with her glance fixed on Bhimasena.

She, with words tremulous with tears, and sighing repeatedly addressed Bhimasena thus powerfully moving his heart.

O Bhima, surely had I committed many sinful acts to gods in my former days. Unfortunate as I am, I am still alive, my death is preferable to me, O Pandava.

Then Vrikodara the slayer of hostile heroes, covering his face with the delicate hands of his wife, marked with scars, began to weep.

The powerful son of Kunti, having held both of her hands in his own, began to shed tears, and stricken with great woe spoke the following.