Shloka 46
Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)
एवमुक्ता तु सा साध्वी कीचकेनाशुभं वच: । कीचकं प्रत्युवाचेदं गर्हयन्त्यस्य तद् वच:
evamuktā tu sā sādhvī kīcakena aśubhaṃ vacaḥ | kīcakaṃ pratyuvācedaṃ garhayanty asya tad vacaḥ ||
Thus addressed with sinful words by Kīcaka, that virtuous lady (Draupadī) reproached his speech and replied to him, condemning the baseness of what he had said.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical speech as a dharmic concern: vile, lust-driven words are to be censured, and a virtuous person should respond by condemning wrongdoing rather than accepting it. It highlights moral courage and the protection of dignity through righteous rebuke.
In the Virāṭa court episode, Kīcaka speaks improper, sinful words to Draupadī (disguised as Sairandhrī). Vaiśampāyana narrates that Draupadī, described as sādhvī, rebukes Kīcaka’s speech and replies in condemnation.