addressed, Draupadi said, 'As I went to bring wine for thee, Kichaka
struck me in the court in the very presence of the king, as if in the
midst of a solitary wood.' Hearing this, Sudeshna said, 'O thou of
tresses ending in beautiful curls, as Kichaka, maddened by lust hath
insulted thee that art incapable of being possessed by him, I shall
cause him to be slain if thou wishest it.' Thereupon Draupadi answered,
'Even others will slay him,--even they whom he hath wronged. I think it
is clear that he will have to go to the abode of Yama this very day!'"


SECTION XVII

Vaisampayana said, "Thus insulted by the _Suta's_ son, that illustrious
princess, the beautiful Krishna, eagerly wishing for the destruction of
Virata's general, went to her quarters. And Drupada's daughter of dark
hue and slender waist then performed her ablutions. And washing her body
and cloths with water Krishna began to ponder weepingly on the means of
dispelling her grief. And she reflected, saying, 'What am I to do?
Whither shall I go? How can my purpose be effected?' And while she was
thinking thus, she remembered Bhima and said to herself, 'There is none
else, save Bhima, that can today accomplish the purpose on which my
heart is set!' And afflicted with great grief, the large-eyed and
intelligent Krishna possessed of powerful protectors then rose up at
night, and leaving her bed speedily proceeded towards the quarters of
Bhimasena, desirous of beholding her lord. And possessed of great
intelligence, the daughter of Drupada entered her husband's quarters,
saying, 'How canst thou sleep while that wretched commander of Virata's
forces, who is my foe, yet liveth, having perpetrated today _that_ (foul
act)?'"