Mahabharata 3.268.20 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 268, Shloka 20
अङ्गददूतवाक्यं लङ्काप्राकारभेदनं च
Angada’s Embassy and the Breach of Laṅkā’s Ramparts
सा काड्क्षमाणा भर्तृणामुपयातमनिन्दिता । विलोभयामास पर वाक्यैर्वाक्यानि युड्जती
sā kāṅkṣamāṇā bhartṝṇām upayātam aninditā | vilobhayāmāsa para-vākyair vākyāni yuñjatī ||
Si Draupadī, ang walang dungis at tapat na asawa, ay nagnanais na dumating agad ang kanyang mga asawa. Kaya nakipagtalo siya sa lalaki—salitang sinasagot ng salita—gumamit ng mapanghikayat na pananalita upang mapanatili itong abala at mapigil sa pag-usad, hanggang sa dumating ang kanyang mga tagapagtanggol.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
In a moral crisis, steadfastness to dharma can be protected through बुद्धि (intelligence) and वाक्-नैपुण्य (skillful speech). Draupadī’s fidelity and courage are shown not only in refusal of wrongdoing but also in strategic restraint and self-preservation.
Draupadī, separated from her husbands, anticipates their return and deliberately engages the aggressor in argument and persuasive talk, aiming to keep him occupied until the Pāṇḍavas arrive.
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