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
sairandhry uvāca bṛhannale ki nu tava sairandhryā kāryam adya vai | yā tvaṁ vasasi kalyāṇi sadā kanyāpure sukham ||
Sairandhrī thưa: “Ôi Bṛhannalā, hôm nay ngài cần gì ở Sairandhrī? Thưa phu nhân cát tường, ngài vẫn luôn sống an nhàn vui vẻ trong khuê phòng của các thiếu nữ.”
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.