woe.  Seeing that hero of proud disposition gratifying Virata, by living at the head of his cowherds, attired in robes dyed in red, I am attacked with fever.  My mother-in-law always applauds the heroic Sahadeva as one possessed of nobility, excellent behaviour, and rectitude of conduct.  Ardently attached to her sons, the weeping Kunti stood, embracing Sahadeva while he was about to set out (with us) for the great forest.  And she addressed me saying, “Sahadeva is bashful and sweet-speeched, and virtuous.  He is also my favourite child.  Therefore, O Yajnaseni, tend him in the forest day and night.  Delicate and brave, devoted to the king, and always worshipping his elder brother, do thou, O Panchali, feed him thyself.”  O Pandava, beholding that foremost of warriors, Sahadeva, engaged in tending kine, and sleeping at night on calf-skins, how can I bear to live?  He again who is crowned with the three attributes of beauty, arms, and intelligence, is now the superintendent of Virata’s steeds.  Behold the change brought on by time.  Granthika (Nakula), at sight of whom hostile hosts fled from the field of battle, now traineth horses in the presence of the king, driving them with the speed.  Alas, I now see that handsome youth wait upon the gorgeously decked and excellent Virata, the king of the Matsyas, and display horses before him.  O son of Pritha, afflicted as I am with all these hundred kinds of misery on account of Yudhishthira, why dost thou, O chastiser of foes, yet deem me happy?  Listen now to me, O son of Kunti, as I tell thee of other woes far surpassing these.  What can be sadder to me than miseries so various as these should emaciate me while ye are alive.’”

SECTION XX

“Draupadi said, ’Alas, on account of that desperate gambler, I am now under Sudeshna’s command, living in the palace in the guise of a Sairindhri.  And, O chastiser of foes, behold the plight of poignant woe which I, a princess, am now in.  I am living in expectation of the close of this stated period.[14] The extreme of misery, therefore, is mine.  Success of purpose, victory, and defeat, as regards mortals, are transitory.  It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the return of prosperity to my husbands.  Prosperity and adversity revolve like a wheel.  It is in this belief that I am living in expectation of the return of prosperity to my husbands.  That cause which bringeth on victory, may bring defeat as well.  I live in this hope.  Why dost thou not, O Bhimasena, regard me as one dead?  I have heard that persons that give may beg:  that they who slay may be slain; and that they who over-throw others may themselves be overthrown by foes.  Nothing is difficult for Destiny and none can over-ride Destiny.  It is for this that I am awaiting the return of favourable fortune.  As a tank once dried, is filled up once again, so hoping for a change for the better, I await the return of prosperity.  When one’s business