Shloka 48
Kirmīra-rākṣasa-saṃgamaḥ (Encounter and Slaying of Kirmīra) | किर्मीरेण सह भीमसेनसमागमः
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्ते तु वचने केशवेन महात्मना । तस्मिन् वीरसमावाये संरब्धेष्वथ राजसु,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं--जनमेजय! रोषावेशसे भरे हुए राजाओंकी मण्डलीमें उस वीरसमुदायके मध्य महात्मा केशवके ऐसा कहनेपर धृष्टद्युम्म आदि भाइयोंसे घिरी और कुपित हुई पांचालराजकुमारी द्रौपदी भाइयोंके साथ बैठे हुए शरणागतवत्सल श्रीकृष्णके पास जा उनकी शरणकी इच्छा रखती हुई उनसे बोली
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
evam ukte tu vacane keśavena mahātmanā |
tasmin vīra-samāvāye saṁrabdheṣv atha rājasu ||
Vaiśampāyana said: When these words had been spoken by the great-souled Keśava, in that assembly of heroes—while the kings were inflamed with anger—the narrative turns toward Draupadī, who, surrounded by her brothers and burning with indignation, approaches Kṛṣṇa, the compassionate refuge of the distressed, seeking his protection and preparing to speak. The ethical tension is clear: in a court charged with wrath and rivalry, the appeal shifts from force to refuge, from retaliation to the safeguarding power of dharma upheld by Kṛṣṇa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच