Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
एवं ते भीरु वध्यन्ते ये त्वां क्लिश्यन्त्यनागसम् । प्रैहि त्वं नगरं कृष्णे न भयं विद्यते तव,'भीरु! जो तुझ निरपराध अबलाको सतायेंगे, वे इसी तरह मारे जायँगे। कृष्णे! नगरको जाओ। अब तुम्हारे लिये कोई भय नहीं है। मैं दूसरे मार्गसे विराटकी पाकशालामें चला जाऊँगा'
evaṁ te bhīru vadhyante ye tvāṁ kliśyanty anāgasam | praihi tvaṁ nagaraṁ kṛṣṇe na bhayaṁ vidyate tava ||
«О робкая! Те, кто станет мучить тебя, хоть ты и невинна, будут сражены точно так же. О Кṛṣṇā, возвращайся в город: теперь тебе нечего бояться. Я же пойду иной дорогой и направлюсь в царскую кухню Вираты».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse underscores a dharmic ethic: harming the innocent invites rightful retribution, while the innocent deserve protection and reassurance. It affirms that harassment of the guiltless is adharma and will not ultimately prevail.
The narrator reports a reassurance addressed to Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī): those who have been troubling her despite her innocence will be dealt with (slain), so she should return to the city without fear, while the speaker proceeds by another route toward Virāṭa’s kitchen.