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 wretch deprived of sense by lust, saying, “O Kichaka, protect thyself.  I am the beloved queen and wife of five Gandharvas.  Those heroes in wrath will slay thee that art so rash.”  Thus addressed, Kichaka of wicked soul replied unto me, saying, “I have not the least fear of the Gandharvas, O Sairindhri of sweet smiles.  I will slay hundred thousand Gandharvas, encountering them in battle.  Therefore, O timid one, do thou consent.”  Hearing all this, I again addressed the lust-afflicted Suta, saying, “Thou art no match for those illustrious Gandharvas.  Of respectable percentage and good disposition, I ever adhere to virtue and never wish for the death of any one.  It is for this that thou I vest, O Kichaka!” At this, that wight of wicked soul burst out into a loud laughter.  And it came to pass that Kaikeyi previously urged by Kichaka, and moved by affection for her brother, and desirous of doing him a good turn, despatched me to him, saying “Do thou, O Sairindhri, fetch wine from Kichaka’s quarters!” On beholding me the Suta’s son at first addressed me in sweet words, and when that failed, he became exceedingly enraged, and intended to use violence.  Understanding the purpose of the wicked Kichaka, I speedily rushed towards the place where the king was.  Felling me on the ground the wretch then kicked me in the very presence of the king himself and before the eyes of Kanka and many others, including charioteers, and royal favourites, and elephant-riders, and citizens.  I rebuked the king and Kanka again and again.  The king, however, neither prevented Kichaka, nor inflicted any chastisement on him.  The principal ally of king Virata in war, the cruel Kichaka reft of virtue is loved by both the king and the queen.  O exalted one, brave, proud, sinful, adulterous, and engrossed in all objects of enjoyment, he earneth