Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
हियमाणा तु सा राजन् सूतपुत्रैरनिन्दिता । प्राक्रोशन्नाथमिच्छन्ती कृष्णा नाथवती सती
hriyamāṇā tu sā rājan sūtaputrair aninditā | prākrośann ātham icchantī kṛṣṇā nāthavatī satī ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Oh rey, mientras los hijos del sūta arrastraban a la intachable Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), ella clamó a grandes voces, anhelando un protector. Aunque tenía guardianes legítimos, la hicieron sentir como si no tuviera amparo.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how adharma manifests when the powerful violate the dignity of the blameless. Even one who should be protected can be made to feel helpless; dharma demands active guardianship and resistance to injustice, not passive complicity.
Draupadī (called Kṛṣṇā), though a virtuous woman with rightful protectors, is being forcibly dragged by Kīcaka’s men (called sūtaputras). She cries out loudly, seeking a protector, underscoring her public humiliation and the moral crisis in the courtly environment.