Shloka 7
Virāṭa-parva Adhyāya 23: Report of the Slain Sūtaputras, Royal Orders, and Sairandhrī’s Return
ततो विराटमूचुस्ते कीचको<स्या: कृते हतः । सहानेनाद्य दहोम तदनुज्ञातुमहसि,तदनन्तर उन्होंने विराट्से कहा--“इस सैरन्ध्रीके लिये ही कीचक मारा गया है, अतः आज हम कीचककी लाशके साथ इसे भी जला देना चाहते हैं, आप इसके लिये आज्ञा दें!
tato virāṭam ūcus te kīcako 'syāḥ kṛte hataḥ | sahānenādya dahoma tad anujñātum arhasi ||
随后他们对毗罗吒王说道：“基迦迦因这侍女而被杀。因此今日我们愿将她与他一同焚烧。请大王准许。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse exposes how social or courtly “custom” can be invoked to legitimize injustice—here, an attempt to destroy an innocent dependent woman by tying her fate to a powerful man’s death. It invites reflection on dharma as protection of the vulnerable and resistance to coercive misuse of authority.
After Kīcaka’s death, his supporters approach King Virāṭa and claim he was killed because of the Sairandhrī. They demand permission to cremate her along with Kīcaka’s body, effectively seeking her death under the guise of ritual or punishment.