Vaishampayana said Thereupon, when Krishna (Draupadi) was about to start, she went to the illustrious Pritha (Kunti) and asked her leave and that of the other ladies who were all plunged in grief.

Saluting and embracing every one of them as each deserved, she desired to go away. Thereupon loud lamentations rose within the inner apartments of the Pandavas.

Kunti, being greatly afflicted on seeing Draupadi on the eve of her journey, uttered these words in a voice choked with grief.

Kunti said O child, do not grieve that this great calamity has overtaken you. You are well aware of all the duties of the female sex. Your character and conduct are as they should be.

O lady of sweet smiles, I need not instruct you as to your duties towards your lords. You are chaste and accomplished; your qualifications and accomplishments have adorned our two races (those of the Kurus and the Pandavas).

The Kurus are (very) fortunate that they have not been burnt by your wrath. O siniess one, go away in safety, blessed by my prayer.

The hearts of good woman never moved by what is inevitable. Protected by great virtue, you will soon obtain good fortune.

While living in the woods, keep your eyes always on my child Sahadeva, so that his mind may not sink under this great calamity.

Vaishampayana said Saying, "so be it,” the lady Draupadi clad in one cloth stained with blood, and with dishevelled hair, came out (of the inner apartment in tears.

As she went away weeping and lamenting, Pritha (Kunti) herself in grief, followed her. She saw her sons, shorn of their ornaments and robes.

Their body clad in deer skins and their heads cast down. They were surrounded by rejoining foes and they were pitied by friends.

Kunti, possessing excess of parental affection, approached her sons who were in that state. Embracing them all, she spoke thus her voice choked with grief.

Kunti said You are virtuous and well-conducted; you are adorned with all excellent qualities; your behaviours is (always) respectful. You are all high minded, you are (always).

Engaged in the service of your superiors; you are ever devoted to the gods and the performance of sacrifices, why then this calamity has overtaken you? Whence in this your reverse of fortune? I do not see whose wickedness and sin have fallen on you.

All this must be due to my bad fortune, for I have given birth to you. It is for this you have been overtaken by this calamity, notwithstanding your possessing excellent accomplishments.

Your are not wanting in energy prowess, strength, firmness and might. How will you live in great wilderness shorn of your wealth and possession?

If I had known before that you were destined to live in the forest, I would not have (then) come after Pandu's death from the mountains of Shatashringa to Hastinapur.

Fortunate was your father; I consider it now, for he recapped the fruit of asceticism and there fore did not meet with the misery appertaining to one's sons. He considered the desire to attain to heaven as the most delightful.

I consider today the virtuous and the blessed Madri as very fortunate, for she had, a fore-knowledge of what would happen and had thus obtained the great emancipation,

Madri looked upon me as her stay and her mind and her affections were ever fixed on me. Fie on my desire of life? I suffer all this woe for it.

O sons, you are all excellent; and you are all dear to me. I have obtained you after much suffering. I cannot leave you; I will go with you. O Krishna, alas, why do you leave me so?

Everything possessing life is sure to perish. Has Dhatra (creator) forgotten to ordain my death? Perhaps it is so; and that is why life does not quit me.

O Krishna, O dweller of Dwarka, O younger brother of Sankarshana (Baladeva), where are you? Why do you not save me and these best of men (the Pandavas)?

The men say that you are without beginning and without end and that you save those who think of you. Why does this saying now turn to be false?

These my sons are ever attached to virtue, nobility, good fame and prowess. They do not deserve to suffer afflictions. Show kindness towards them.

When such leaders of our race as Bhisma, Drona, and Kripa, all learned in morality and Artha, are present how could such a calamity (at all) happen?

Alas Pandu! Alas, lord where are you? How could you see your good children sent into exile thus persecuted by gambling?

Sahadeva, you do not go. You are dearer to me than my own body. O son of Madri, do not forsake me; you should be kind to me.

If they are bound by the dictates of virtue, let these your (elder) brothers go. You earn that virtue which is the fruit of waiting upon me (a mother).

Vaishampayana said Consoling their weeping (mother) Kunti and bowing to her, the Pandavas set for the forest in great grief.

Vidura, himself greatly grieved, consoled the afflicted Kunti with reasons, and Khattwa (Vidura) then led her slowly to his house.

The ladies of Dhritarashtra's house hold, hearing every thing as it had happened namely the exile (of the Pandavas) and the dragging of Krishna (Draupadi) in the assembly of gambling.

Loudly wept, all greatly censuring the Kurus. The ladies of the royal household sat silent for a long time covering their lotus like faces with their hands.

King Dhritarashtra, thinking of the dangers that threatened his sons, became a prey to anxiety and could not get any peace of mind.

Anxious meditating on everything and with mind deprived of its equanimity by grief, he sent for Khattwa (Vidura) asking him to come (to him) without delay.

Thereupon Vidura went to Dhritarashtra's palace and the ruler of men Dhritarashtra asked him in great anxiety.