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 that hath been well-provided for is seen to be frustrated, a truly wise person should never strive for bringing back good fortune.  Plunged as I am an sorrow, asked or unasked by thee to explain the purpose of these words spoken by me, I shall tell thee everything.  Queen of the sons of Pandu and daughter of Drupada, who else, save myself, would wish to live, having fallen into such a plight?  O represser of foes, the misery, therefore, that hath overtaken me, hath really humiliated the entire Kuru race, the Panchalas, and the sons of Pandu.  Surrounded by numerous brothers and father-in-law and sons, what other woman having such cause for joy, save myself, would be afflicted with such woe?  Surely, I must, in my childhood, have committed act highly offensive to Dhatri through whose displeasure, O bull of the Bharata race, I have