Shloka 7
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
ततो विराटमूचुस्ते कीचको<स्या: कृते हतः । सहानेनाद्य दहोम तदनुज्ञातुमहसि
tato virāṭam ūcus te kīcako 'syāḥ kṛte hataḥ | sahānenādya dahoma tad anujñātum arhasi ||
Then they said to King Virāṭa: “Kīcaka has been slain on account of this maidservant. Therefore, today we wish to burn her as well, together with him. You ought to grant permission for this.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse exposes how social or courtly “custom” can be invoked to legitimize injustice—here, an attempt to destroy an innocent dependent woman by tying her fate to a powerful man’s death. It invites reflection on dharma as protection of the vulnerable and resistance to coercive misuse of authority.
After Kīcaka’s death, his supporters approach King Virāṭa and claim he was killed because of the Sairandhrī. They demand permission to cremate her along with Kīcaka’s body, effectively seeking her death under the guise of ritual or punishment.