Shloka 132
Kirmīra-rākṣasa-saṃgamaḥ (Encounter and Slaying of Kirmīra) | किर्मीरेण सह भीमसेनसमागमः
साचीकृतमवेक्षत् सा पाञज्चाली मध्यमं पतिम् | आबभाषे महाराज द्रौपदीमर्जुनस्तदा,मैं सत्य प्रतिज्ञापूर्वक कह रहा हूँ कि तुम राजरानी बनोगी। कृष्णे! आसमान फट पड़े, हिमालय पर्वत विदीर्ण हो जाय, पृथ्वीके टुकड़े-टुकड़े हो जायँ और समुद्र सूख जाय, किंतु मेरी यह बात झूठी नहीं हो सकती। द्रौपदीने अपनी बातोंके उत्तरमें भगवान् श्रीकृष्णके मुखसे ऐसी बातें सुनकर तिरछी चितवनसे अपने मझले पति अर्जुनकी ओर देखा। महाराज! तब अर्जुनने द्रौपदीसे कहा--
sācīkṛtam avekṣat sā pāñcālī madhyamaṃ patim | ābabhāṣe mahārāja draupadīm arjunas tadā |
Draupadī of Pāñcāla, casting a sidelong glance, looked toward her middle husband (Arjuna). Then, O King, Arjuna addressed Draupadī. The moment underscores the ethical weight of a vow and the assurance of truthfulness: even if the natural order were to collapse, a righteous pledge is presented as unbreakable, and Draupadī’s searching look signals both doubt and the demand for accountable speech within dharma.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the moral force of satya (truth) and pratijñā (a vow): a righteous promise is treated as inviolable, and speech must be accountable within dharma, especially in intimate and political relationships.
Draupadī looks sideways toward her middle husband, Arjuna, and then Arjuna begins speaking to her. The verse functions as a transition into Arjuna’s reply, framed by the tension created by strong assurances and Draupadī’s evaluative gaze.