Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 18
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
(कीचक उवाच तथा भद्रे करिष्यामि यथा त्वं भीरु मन्यसे । एक: सन् नर्तनागारमागमिष्यामि शो भने ।।
kīcaka uvāca—tathā bhadre kariṣyāmi yathā tvaṁ bhīru manyase | ekaḥ san nartanāgāram āgamiṣyāmi śobhane || samāgamārthaṁ suśroṇi śape ca sukṛtena me | yathā tvāṁ nāvabudhyante gandharvā varavarṇini || satyaṁ te pratijānāmi gandharvebhyo na te bhayam || vaiśampāyana uvāca—tam artham api jalpantyāḥ kṛṣṇāyāḥ kīcakena ha | divasārdhaṁ samabhavan māsenaiva samaṁ nṛpa ||
キーチャカは言った。「そのとおりにしよう、淑女よ。おびえる女よ、そなたが最善と思うとおりに我はする。麗しき者よ、そなたに会うため舞殿へは我ひとりで参る。スシュローニーよ、我が功徳にかけて誓う。すぐれた肌の女よ、ガンダルヴァたちがそなたのことを何ひとつ知り得ぬように取り計らおう。真実をもって約束する。ガンダルヴァを恐れることはない。」 ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「王よ、クリシュナー（ドラウパディー）がこのようにキーチャカと語り合ったのち、その日の残る半日は、彼女にはひと月にも等しく重く長く感じられた—事の次第を告げ（報いを求め）る時を待ちながら。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how unethical desire often masks itself with the language of virtue—oaths, promises, and assurances—while the victim experiences intense psychological burden. It implicitly contrasts empty pledges with true dharma: protection of the vulnerable and restraint of power.
Kīcaka tries to persuade Draupadī to meet him privately in the dance-hall, claiming he will come alone and that the ‘Gandharvas’ will not know—swearing by his merit. After this exchange, Draupadī feels the remaining half-day drag on like a month as she waits to act on the situation and seek help.