Shloka 28
Kīcaka-vadha-pratisaṃjñā: Rumor in Matsya and the Kaurava Scouts’ Report (कीचकवध-प्रतिसंज्ञा)
तब राजपुत्री सुदेष्णाने विराटके कथनानुसार उससे कहा--'सैरन्ध्री! तुम जहाँ जाना चाहो, शीघ्र चली जाओ ।।
rājā bibheti te bhadre gandharvebhyaḥ parābhavāt | tvaṃ cāpi taruṇī subhru rūpeṇāpratimā bhuvi | puṃsām iṣṭaḥ strī-viṣayo gandharvāś cātikopanāḥ ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: Ayon sa salaysay, sinabi ni Reyna Sudeṣṇā kay Sairandhrī, aliping babae ni Virāṭa: “Mabuting ginang, umalis ka nang mabilis saanman mo naisin. Natatakot ang hari dahil sa pagkatalong maaaring idulot sa kanya ng iyong mga Gandharva. At ikaw, may magandang kilay, ay bata pa—sa lupaing ito’y walang babaeng maihahambing sa iyong ganda. Ang mga lalaki’y likás na naaakit sa mga bagay ng pagnanasa; at ang iyong mga Gandharva’y lubhang madaling magalit.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a pragmatic ethical warning: unchecked desire can lead to reckless conduct, and power must be exercised with restraint. It also reflects a ruler’s duty to avoid actions that endanger the realm—here, fear of retaliation by powerful Gandharvas becomes a deterrent, urging caution and protective distancing.
After hearing about Sairandhrī’s claimed Gandharva protectors, Queen Sudeṣṇā advises her to leave quickly wherever she wishes. She explains that King Virāṭa fears being defeated by those Gandharvas, and she underscores Sairandhrī’s exceptional beauty and youth, noting that men are prone to desire while the Gandharvas are quick to anger—implying danger if the situation escalates.