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.’”
“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
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