Mahabharata — Virata Parva, Shloka 35
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 22 — Draupadī’s Abduction Attempt and Bhīma’s Suppression of the Kīcakas
द्रौपहयुवाच यथा न संत्यजेथास्त्वं सत्यं वै मत्कृते विभो । निगूढस्त्वं तथा पार्थ कीचकं तं निषूदय
draupady uvāca yathā na saṃtyajethās tvaṃ satyaṃ vai mat-kṛte vibho | nigūḍhas tvaṃ tathā pārtha kīcakaṃ taṃ niṣūdaya ||
Драупади сказала: «О могучий, поступи так, чтобы ради меня тебе не пришлось отречься от своей правдивости. О сын Кунти, оставаясь скрытым, как ты и есть, убей того Кичаку».
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic tension: protecting the vulnerable and restoring justice must be done without sacrificing satya (truthfulness/keeping one’s vow). Draupadī urges a course of action that preserves moral integrity while still punishing wrongdoing.
During the Pāṇḍavas’ incognito stay in Virāṭa’s kingdom, Draupadī—harassed by Kīcaka—appeals to Pārtha (Arjuna) to have Kīcaka killed, but in a way that keeps the Pāṇḍavas’ identities concealed and does not force him to violate his commitment to truth.