Vaisampayana continued,—­“Thus did Krishna of slender waist cry in distress in that assembly.  And casting a glance upon her enraged lords—­the Pandavas—­who were filled with terrible wrath, she inflamed them further with that glance of hers.  And they were not so distressed at having been robbed of their kingdom, of their wealth, of their costliest gems, as with that glance of Krishna moved by modesty and anger.  And Dussasana, beholding Krishna looking at her helpless lords, dragging her still more forcibly, and addressed her, ‘Slave, Slave’ and laughed aloud.  And at those words Karna became very glad and approved of them by laughing aloud.  And Sakuni, the son of Suvala, the Gandhara king, similarly applauded Dussasana.  And amongst all those that were in the assembly except these three and Duryodhana, every one was filled with sorrow at beholding Krishna thus dragged in sight of that assembly.  And beholding it all, Bhishma said, ’O blessed one, morality is subtle.  I therefore am unable to duly decide this point that thou hast put, beholding that on the one hand one that hath no wealth cannot stake the wealth belonging to others, while on the other hand wives are always under the orders and at the disposal of their lords.  Yudhishthira can abandon the whole world full of wealth, but he will never sacrifice morality.  The son of Pandu hath said—­’I am won.’  Therefore, I am unable to decide this matter.  Sakuni hath not his equal among men at dice-play.  The son of Kunti still voluntarily staked with him.  The illustrious Yudhishthira doth not himself regard that Sakuni hath played with him deceitfully.  Therefore, I can not decide this point.”

“Draupadi said,—­“The king was summoned to this assembly and though possessing no skill at dice, he was made to play with skilful, wicked, deceitful and desperate gamblers.  How can he be said then to have staked voluntarily?  The chief of the Pandavas was deprived of his senses by wretches of deceitful conduct and unholy instincts, acting together, and then vanquished.  He could not understand their tricks, but he hath now done so.  Here, in this assembly, there are Kurus who are the lords of both their sons and their daughters-in-law!  Let all of them, reflecting well upon my words, duly decide the point that I have put.

Vaisampayana continued,—­’Unto Krishna who was thus weeping and crying piteously, looking at times upon her helpless lord, Dussasana spake many disagreeable and harsh words.  And beholding her who was then in her season thus dragged, and her upper garments loosened, beholding her in that condition which she little deserved, Vrikodara afflicted beyond endurance, his eyes fixed upon Yudhishthira, gave way to wrath.”