Shloka 20
अध्याय १५ — कीचकस्य अत्याचारः, द्रौपद्याः सभाशरणगमनम्
Kīcaka’s coercion and Draupadī’s appeal in the assembly
अन्तर्हितं ततस्तस्या रक्षो रक्षार्थमादिशत् । तच्चैनां नाजहात् तत्र सर्वावस्थास्वनिन्दिताम्
antarhitaṃ tatastasyā rakṣo rakṣārtham ādiśat | taccaināṃ nājahāt tatra sarvāvasthāsv aninditām ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Dann, unsichtbar bleibend, befahl er einem Rākṣasa, sie zu beschützen. Und dort ließ dieser Wächter die untadelige Draupadī in keiner Lage im Stich.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharmic protection: a virtuous, blameless person (aninditā) is not to be abandoned in adversity, and righteous safeguarding—whether human or superhuman—is portrayed as a moral necessity.
After understanding Draupadī’s peril, an unseen protector is appointed—a rākṣasa who remains with her and ensures she is not left helpless in any situation.