Shloka 18
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
ततस्ता नर्तनागाराद विनिष्क्रम्य सहार्जुना: । कन्या ददृशुरायान्तीं क्लिष्टां कृष्णामनागसम्,उसके आनेका समाचार पाकर अर्जुनसहित वे सब कन्याएँ नृत्यगृहसे बाहर निकल आयीं और वहाँ आती हुई निरपराध सतायी गयी कृष्णाको देखने लगीं
tatastā nartanāgārād viniṣkramya sahārjunāḥ | kanyā dadṛśur āyāntīṃ kliṣṭāṃ kṛṣṇām anāgasam ||
Kemudian gadis-gadis itu, bersama Arjuna, keluar dari balai tarian dan melihat Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) datang menghampiri—letih dan tertekan, meskipun tidak bersalah sedikit pun.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic principle: suffering inflicted on the innocent (anāgasa) is ethically intolerable and calls for recognition, compassion, and rightful corrective action.
After hearing news of her arrival, the maidens come out of the dance-hall with Arjuna and see Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) approaching in a distressed state, setting the stage for the response to her mistreatment.