sacrifice virtue, and, O noble-hearted lady, subdue thy wrath. If king
Yudhishthira hear from thee such rebukes, he will surely put an end to
his life. If also Dhananjaya and the twins hear thee speak thus, even
they will renounce life. And if these, O slender-waisted maiden, give up
life, I also shall not be able to bear my own. In olden days Sarjati's
daughter, the beautiful Sukanya, followed into the forest Chyavana of
Bhrigu's race, whose mind was under complete control, and over whom,
while engaged in ascetic meditation, the ants had built a hill. Thou
mayst have heard that Indrasena also who in beauty was like unto
_Narayani_ herself, followed her husband aged a thousand years. Thou
mayst have heard that Janaka's daughter Sita, the princess of Videha,
followed her lord while living in dense woods. And that lady of graceful
hips, Rama's beloved wife, afflicted with calamities and persecuted by
the Rakshasas, at length regained the company of Rama. Lopamudra also, O
timid one, endued with youth and beauty, followed Agastya, renouncing
all the objects of enjoyment unattainable by men. And the intelligent
and faultless Savitri also followed the heroic Satyavan, the son of
Dyumatsena, alone into the world of Yama. Even like these chaste and
beautiful ladies that I have named, thou, O blessed girl, bloomest with
every virtue. Do thou spend a short while more that is measured by even
a half month. And when the thirteenth year is complete, thou wilt
(again) become the Queen regnant of a king.' Hearing these words,
Draupadi said, 'Unable, O Bhima, to bear my griefs, it is from grief
alone that I have shed these tears. I do not censure Yudhishthira. Nor
is there any use in dwelling on the past. O Bhima of mighty strength,
come quickly forward to the work of the hour. O Bhima, Kaikeyi, jealous
of my beauty, always pains me by her endeavours to prevent the king from
taking a fancy to me. And understanding this disposition of hers, the
wicked-souled Kichaka of immoral ways constantly solicits me himself.
Angry with him for this, but then suppressing my wrath I answer that