Shloka 15
अध्याय १५ — कीचकस्य अत्याचारः, द्रौपद्याः सभाशरणगमनम्
Kīcaka’s coercion and Draupadī’s appeal in the assembly
सन्ति बह्नयस्तव प्रेष्या राजपुत्रि वशानुगा: । अन्यां प्रेषय भद्रें ते स हि मामवमंस्यते,इति श्रीमहाभारते विराटपर्वणि कीचकवधपर्वणि द्रौपदीसुराहरणे पठचदशो<ध्याय:
santi bahnyas tava preṣyā rājaputri vaśānugāḥ | anyāṃ preṣaya bhadraṃ te sa hi mām avamaṃsyate iti ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai puteri, engkau mempunyai ramai dayang yang menurut perintahmu. Suruhlah orang lain; kerana jika aku yang disuruh, dia pasti akan menghina dan merendahkan aku.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical caution in situations of coercive power: one should not be compelled into roles that expose them to foreseeable dishonor or abuse, and those in authority should use their power responsibly rather than endangering subordinates.
A woman addressed as “princess” is told that she has many obedient attendants and should send someone else, because sending the speaker will lead to that person being insulted—foreshadowing the impending humiliation central to the Kīcaka-related episode.