harbouring thee.'

"Draupadi replied, 'O fair lady, neither Virata nor any other person
will be able to have me, for my five youthful husbands, who are
_Gandharvas_ and sons of a _Gandharva_ king of exceeding power, always
protect me. None can do me a wrong. It is the wish of my _Gandharva_
husbands that I should serve only such persons as will not give me to
touch food already partaken of by another, or tell me to wash their
feet. Any man that attempts to have me like any common woman, meeteth
with death that very night. No one can succeed in having me, for, O
beautiful lady, O thou of sweet smiles, those beloved _Gandharvas_,
possessed of great energy and mighty strength always protect me
secretly.'

"Sudeshna said, 'O thou that bringest delight to the heart, if it is as
thou sayest, I will take thee into my household. Thou shalt not have to
touch food that hath been partaken of by another, or to wash another's
feet.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Thus addressed by Virata's wife, O Janamejaya,
Krishna (Draupadi) ever devoted to her lords, began to live in that
city. Nor could anyone ascertain who in reality she was!"


SECTION X

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then clad in a cowherd's dress, and speaking the
dialect of cowherds, Sahadeva came to the cowpen of Virata's city. And
beholding that bull among men, who was shining in splendour, the king
was struck with amazement. And he directed his men to summon Sahadeva.