Shloka 7
अध्याय १५ — कीचकस्य अत्याचारः, द्रौपद्याः सभाशरणगमनम्
Kīcaka’s coercion and Draupadī’s appeal in the assembly
वैशम्पायन उवाच इत्युक्त: स विनिष्क्रम्य भगिन्या वचनात् तदा । सुरामाहारयामास राजार्हा सुपरिष्कृताम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--राजन्! बहिनके वचनसे इस प्रकार आश्वासन मिलनेपर कीचक उस समय वहाँसे चला गया और घर जाकर उसने यथासमय चतुर रसोइयोंके द्वारा राजाओंके उपयोगमें आने योग्य उत्तम एवं परिष्कृत मदिरा मँगवायी और भाँति-भाँतिके अनेक विशिष्ट और साधारण भरक्ष्य पदार्थ एवं परम उत्तम अन्न-पानकी तैयारी करायी
vaiśampāyana uvāca | ity uktaḥ sa viniṣkramya bhaginyā vacanāt tadā | surām āhārayāmāsa rājārhāṃ supariṣkṛtām ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, he went out at that time in accordance with his sister’s words. Returning home, he had brought in, at the proper time, finely prepared liquor fit for a king’s use—arranging, through skilled cooks, an abundance of choice and ordinary delicacies and the best of food and drink.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how indulgence and calculated preparation can serve unethical intent: outwardly refined hospitality (royal liquor and delicacies) may be used to facilitate coercion or wrongdoing, reminding readers to judge actions by purpose and dharma rather than by polish or luxury.
After receiving reassurance based on his sister’s words, Kīcaka leaves and arranges for refined, king-worthy liquor and an elaborate spread of food and drink through skilled cooks—setting up the next stage of the episode in the Virāṭa court.