goddess, Kichaka, afflicted with the shafts of Kama, desired to possess
her. And burning with desire's flame, Virata's general came to Sudeshna
(his sister) and smilingly addressed her in these words, 'This beauteous
lady had never before been seen by me in king Virata's abode. This
damsel maddens me with her beauty, even as a new wine maddens one with
its fragrance. Tell me, who is this graceful and captivating lady
possessed of the beauty of a goddess, and whose she is, and whence she
hath come. Surely, grinding my heart she hath reduced me to subjection.
It seems to me that (save her) there is no other medicine for my
illness. O, this fair hand-maid of thine seemeth to me to be possessed
of the beauty of a goddess. Surely, one like her is ill suited to serve
thee. Let her rule over me and whatever is mine. O, let her grace my
spacious and beautiful palace, decked with various ornaments of gold,
full of viands and drinks in profusion, with excellent plates, and
containing every kind of plenty, besides elephants and horses and cars
in myriads.' And having consulted with Sudeshna thus, Kichaka went to
princess Draupadi, and like a jackal in the forest accosting a lioness,
spoke unto Krishna these words in a winning voice, 'Who and whose art
thou, O beautiful one? And O thou of beautiful face, whence hast thou
come to the city of Virata? Tell me all this, O fair lady. Thy beauty
and gracefulness are of the very first order and the comeliness of thy
features is unparalleled. With its loveliness thy face shineth ever like
the resplendent moon. O thou of fair eye-brows, thy eyes are beautiful
and large like lotus-petals. Thy speech also, O thou of beautiful limbs,
resembles the notes of the _cuckoo_. O thou of fair hips, never before
in this world have I beheld a woman possessed of beauty like thine, O
thou of faultless features. Art thou Lakshmi herself having her abode in
the midst of lotuses or, art thou, O slender-waisted one, she who is
called _Bhuti_[13]. Or, which amongst these--_Hri, Sri, Kirti_ and
_Kanti_,--art thou, O thou of beautiful face? Or possessed of beauty