Shloka 6
कृपकर्णसंवादः
Kṛpa’s Counsel to Karṇa on Deśa-Kāla and Coordinated Strategy
अश्वबन्धो5थ नकुलः सहदेवस्तु गोकुले । सैरन्ध्रीं द्रौपदी विद्धि यत्कृते कीचका हता:,अश्वोंकी देखभाल करनेवाले ग्रन्थिक नकुल हैं और गोशालाके अध्यक्ष तन्तिपाल सहदेव। सैरन्ध्रीको ही द्रौपदी समझो, जिसके कारण सभी कीचक मारे गये हैं
aśvabandho 'tha nakulaḥ sahadevas tu gokule | sairandhrīṃ draupadīṃ viddhi yatkṛte kīcakā hatāḥ ||
Arjuna said: “Nakula is the one in charge of the horses, and Sahadeva is stationed in the cattle-shed. Know that the maidservant (Sairandhrī) is Draupadī—on whose account the Kīcakas were slain.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma as the protection of the vulnerable and the upholding of dignity: violence driven by lust and coercion (as with the Kīcakas) invites rightful punishment, while the righteous act to safeguard honor even under concealment and hardship.
Arjuna reveals key identities from the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito year in Virāṭa’s kingdom: Nakula serves as the horse-keeper, Sahadeva works in the cattle area, and the maid Sairandhrī is actually Draupadī—whose harassment led to the slaying of Kīcaka and his associates.