Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 13 — Kīcaka’s Proposition and Draupadī’s Dharmic Refusal
द्रौपदी प्रेक्ष्य तान् सर्वान् क्लिश्यमानान् महारथान् । नातिप्रीतमना राजन् नि:श्वासपरमा भवत्,राजन! अपने सम्पूर्ण महारथी पतियोंको इस प्रकार क्लेश उठाते देख द्रौपदीके मनमें खेद होता था और वह लंबी साँसें भरती रहती थी
drau-padī prekṣya tān sarvān kliśyamānān mahārathān | nātiprītamanā rājan niḥśvāsaparamā bhavat ||
Waiśampāyana berkata: Melihat semua kesatria kereta agung itu—para suaminya—menanggung kesusahan, hati Draupadī tidak tenteram, wahai raja; ia pun hanya mampu menghela napas panjang penuh duka.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights compassionate solidarity: Draupadī’s dharmic character is shown in her deep empathy for her husbands’ hardship, reminding that righteousness includes sharing others’ suffering and remaining inwardly steadfast even when outward action is limited.
In the Virāṭa Parva setting, Draupadī observes the Pāṇḍavas—renowned warriors—enduring distress under constrained circumstances. Her reaction is quiet grief: she becomes uneasy and repeatedly sighs, indicating the emotional strain of their situation.