Shloka 4
अध्याय १५ — कीचकस्य अत्याचारः, द्रौपद्याः सभाशरणगमनम्
Kīcaka’s coercion and Draupadī’s appeal in the assembly
(सुदेष्णोवाच शरणागतेयं सुश्रोणी मया दत्ताभया च सा । शुभाचारा च १द्रं ते नैनां वक्तुमिहोत्सहे ।।
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
evam uktas tu duṣṭātmā bhaginīṁ kīcako 'bravīt ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus addressed, the wicked-souled Kīcaka spoke to his sister. The narrative turns from Sudeshnā’s protective, dharma-minded warning to Kīcaka’s obstinate response, marking the ethical contrast between safeguarding a dependent woman under refuge and the predatory insistence of unchecked desire.
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse signals an ethical polarity: a guardian’s duty to protect one who has sought refuge versus the moral corruption of one driven by desire and power. By labeling Kīcaka as duṣṭātmā, the text frames his forthcoming speech and actions as adharma, warning that refusal to heed righteous counsel leads to ruin.
After Sudeshnā warns Kīcaka not to pursue the Sairandhrī (Draupadī in disguise) and emphasizes the danger and impropriety, the narrator states that Kīcaka—described as wicked-minded—responds to his sister. This line introduces Kīcaka’s defiant reply and escalates the conflict.