effulgent as the sun, do not, I imagine, consider this as an occasion for manifesting their wrath, inasmuch as they do not rush to thy aid.  O Sairindhri, thou art ignorant of the timeliness of things, and it is for this that thou weepest as an actress, besides interrupting the play of dice in Matsya’s court.  Retire, O Sairindhri; the Gandharvas will do what is agreeable to thee.  And they will surely display thy woe and take the life of him that hath wronged thee.’  Hearing these words the Sairindhri replied, ’They of whom I am the wedded wife are, I ween, extremely kind.  And as the eldest of them all is addicted to dice, they are liable to be oppressed by all.’”

Vaisampayana continued, “And having said this, the fair-hipped Krishna with dishevelled hair and eyes red in anger, ran towards the apartments of Sudeshna.  And in consequence of having wept long her face looked beautiful like the lunar disc in the firmament, emerged from the clouds.  And beholding her in that condition, Sudeshna asked, ’Who, O beauteous lady, hath insulted thee?  Why, O amiable damsel, dost thou weep?  Who, gentle one, hath done thee wrong?  Whence is this thy grief?’ Thus 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)?’”