Shloka 9
Setubandha-Niścaya (Decision for the Causeway) and Vānara-Senā Saṃniveśa — Bridge Strategy and Alliance Consolidation
एतावदुक््त्वा द्रुपदात्मजा सा शैब्यात्मजं चन्द्रमुखी प्रतीता । विवेश तां पर्णशालां प्रशस्तां संचिन्त्य तेषामतिथित्वमर्थ,शिबिदेशके राजकुमार कोटिकास्यसे ऐसा कहकर वह चन्द्रमुखी द्रौपदी अपनी उत्तम पर्णशालाके भीतर चली गयी। “ये लोग हमारे अतिथि हैं” ऐसा सोचकर उसे उनपर विश्वास हो गया था। अतः वह प्रसन्नतापूर्वक उनके आतिथ्यकी व्यवस्थामें लग गयी
etāvad uktvā drupadātmajā sā śaibyātmajaṃ candramukhī pratītā | viveśa tāṃ parṇaśālāṃ praśastāṃ sañcintya teṣām atithitvam artham ||
Having said only this much, that moon-faced Draupadī, the daughter of Drupada, trusting the son of Śaibya, entered the excellent leaf-hut. Reflecting that they were to be treated as guests, she placed her confidence in them and, with a pleased mind, set about arranging their hospitality—thus upholding the ethical duty owed to an atithi (guest), even amid uncertainty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds atithi-dharma: once someone is regarded as a guest, one should arrange hospitality with goodwill. It also shows how ethical duty can lead one to extend trust—highlighting the tension between dharmic generosity and the need for careful discernment.
After speaking briefly, Draupadī enters the forest leaf-hut, having placed trust in the person described as Śaibya’s son. Thinking of the others as guests, she begins making arrangements to receive and serve them properly.