Shloka 9
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
गच्छ सैरन्दध्रि भद्रं ते यथाकामं वरानने । बिभेति राजा सुश्रोणि गन्धर्वेभ्य: पराभवात्
vaiśampāyana uvāca | gaccha sairandhri bhadraṃ te yathākāmaṃ varānane | bibheti rājā suśroṇi gandharvebhyaḥ parābhavāt ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana disse: “Vai, ó Sairandhrī; que o bem te acompanhe. Ó formosa de rosto, vai para onde desejares. Ó mulher de belos quadris, o rei está com medo—por causa da humilhação que outrora sofreu às mãos dos Gandharvas.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how past defeat and public humiliation can shape a ruler’s present conduct: fear arises from remembered vulnerability, and authority may yield to caution. Ethically, it suggests that unchecked pride leading to disgrace can later constrain one’s freedom and decision-making.
The narrator reports that Sairandhrī is told she may go wherever she wishes, with a blessing for her welfare. The reason given is that the king is afraid of the Gandharvas due to a prior defeat or humiliation connected with them.