Shloka 21
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
सैरन्ध्युवाच बृहन्नले कि नु तव सैरन्ध्र्या कार्यमद्य वै । या त्वं वससि कल्याणि सदा कन्यापुरे सुखम्,सैरन्ध्री बोली--बृहन्नले! अब तुम्हें सैरन्ध्रीसे क्या काम है? कल्याणी! तुम तो मौजसे इन कन्याओंके अन्तःपुरमें रहती हो
sairandhry uvāca bṛhannale ki nu tava sairandhryā kāryam adya vai | yā tvaṁ vasasi kalyāṇi sadā kanyāpure sukham ||
ไสรันธรีกล่าวว่า “โอ้ พฤหันนลา วันนี้เจ้ามีธุระอันใดกับไสรันธรี? แม่ผู้เป็นมงคล เจ้าอยู่สุขสบายในตำหนักของเหล่านางกำนัลสาวอยู่เสมอ”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudence and social propriety: in a concealed life, one must be careful about associations and appearances. It also reflects awareness of roles within the palace—who belongs where—and the ethical need to avoid actions that could invite suspicion or impropriety.
Sairandhrī addresses Bṛhannalā and questions why she is seeking the Sairandhrī’s attention “today,” noting that Bṛhannalā already lives comfortably in the maidens’ quarters. The exchange underscores the dynamics of the Pandavas’ disguises in Virāṭa’s palace and the caution required to maintain them.