Shloka 10
अध्याय १५ — कीचकस्य अत्याचारः, द्रौपद्याः सभाशरणगमनम्
Kīcaka’s coercion and Draupadī’s appeal in the assembly
सुदेष्णोवाच उत्तिष्ठ गच्छ सैरन्ध्रि कीचकस्य निवेशनम् । पानमानय कल्याणि पिपासा मां प्रबाधते,सुदेष्णा बोली--सैरन्ध्री! उठो और कीचकके घर जाओ। कल्याणी! मुझे प्यास विशेष कष्ट दे रही है; अतः वहाँसे मेरे पीने योग्य रस ले आओ
sudeṣṇovāca uttiṣṭha gaccha sairandhri kīcakasya niveśanam | pānam ānaya kalyāṇi pipāsā māṃ prabādhate ||
सुदेष्णोवाच—उत्तिष्ठ गच्छ सैरन्ध्रि कीचकस्य निवेशनम्। पानमानय कल्याणि पिपासा मां प्रबाधते॥
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical tension: a superior’s casual command can expose a dependent person to danger. It invites reflection on dharma in governance and household authority—responsibility includes safeguarding subordinates, not merely issuing orders for one’s own comfort.
Queen Sudeṣṇā instructs her attendant Sairandhrī (Draupadī in disguise) to go to Kīcaka’s residence and bring a drink because the queen is very thirsty. This order becomes a narrative trigger that draws Draupadī into contact with Kīcaka, setting up the ensuing conflict.