Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 87
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
प्रार्थयन्ति सुकेशान्ते ये त्वां शीलगुणान्विताम् । एवं ते भीरु वध्यन्ते कीचक: शोभते यथा
prārthayanti sukeśānte ye tvāṁ śīlaguṇānvitām | evaṁ te bhīru vadhyante kīcakaḥ śobhate yathā |
« Ô Pāñcālī, timide aux beaux cheveux, parée de bonne conduite et de nobles qualités : les hommes pervers qui te supplieront d’une union illicite seront tués de la même manière. De même que Kīcaka gît à présent “orné” par la mort, telle sera aussi leur fin. »
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores an ethical warning: predatory desire and coercive pursuit of a virtuous woman is adharma and leads to ruin. It affirms that wrongdoing—especially sexual aggression—invites just retribution, while the woman’s dignity is to be protected.
In the Kīcaka episode of the Virāṭa court, Draupadī (as Sairandhrī) has been harassed; Kīcaka has been killed as punishment. The speaker declares that any other wicked men who seek illicit union with her will meet the same fate, just as Kīcaka has.