Shloka 3

Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)

Devanagari script

तथा चरन्ती पाज्चाली सुदेष्णाया निवेशने । तां देवी तोषयामास तथा चान्तः:पुरस्त्रिय:,सुदेष्णाके महलमें पूर्वोक्तरूपसे सेवा करती हुई पांचालीने महारानी तथा अन्तःपुरकी अन्य स्त्रियोंको पूर्ण प्रसन्न कर लिया

Transliteration

tathā carantī pāñcālī sudeṣṇāyā niveśane | tāṃ devī toṣayāmāsa tathā cāntaḥpurastriyaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana sprach: So diente Pāñcālī (Draupadī) in der Residenz der Königin Sudeṣṇā und verhielt sich derart, dass sie die Königin völlig zufriedenstellte, ebenso die Frauen des inneren Palastes. Die Episode betont disziplinierte Selbstbeherrschung und kluges Verhalten in der Not, wobei Würde durch pflichtgetreuen Dienst und bedachte Rede bewahrt wird.

Word by Word

तथाthus, in that manner

चरन्तीacting/serving, moving about (while doing)

पाञ्चालीPañcālī (Draupadī)

सुदेष्णायाःof Sudeshnā

निवेशनेin the residence/palace

ताम्her

देवीthe queen/lady

तोषयामासpleased, satisfied (made pleased)

तथाand likewise

चand

अन्तःपुरस्त्रियःthe women of the inner apartments (harem)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Pāñcālī (Draupadī)

Sudeṣṇā

antaḥpura-striyaḥ (women of the inner palace)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Even under pressure and concealment, one should uphold dharma through disciplined behavior—measured speech, respectful service, and emotional steadiness—so that one’s integrity remains intact despite adverse circumstances.

What is happening in the narrative?

During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s court, Draupadī (as Pāñcālī) serves in Queen Sudeṣṇā’s quarters and, by her careful conduct, wins the goodwill of the queen and the other palace women.