Vaishampayana said : Being thus accosted that foremost of Shibi's race, the princess Draupadi, looking gently, leaving of the Kadamba branch and arranging her silken raiment, said,

I know it, O prince, that it is not proper for me to address you thus, there is no other man or woman who can speak with you.

I am alone here just now so I should speak, know, O gentle sir, being alone in this forest, I should not speak to you, remembering the practices of our sex.

I have learnt you to be the son of Suratha whom people know as Kotikasya; so O Shaivya, I shall tell you of my relations and illustrious race.

I am the daughter of the king Drupada, O Shaivya, people know me as Krishna; I have elected five men as my husbands of whom you may have heard while they were living in Khandavaprastha.

Those foremost of men, Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Arjuna and the two sons of Madri, leaving me hear and having assigned four quarters, have gone out on hunting.

The king has gone to the east, Bhimasena towards the south, Arjuna to the west and the twin brothers towards the north. Me-thinks, the time of the arrival of those leading carwarriors, has come.

Do you get down and dismiss your carriage so that yet may go after receiving a befitting welcome from them. The high-souled son of Dharma is fond of guests and will, in sooth, be glad to see you.

Having thus addressed Shaivya's son, the daughter of Draupadi, with a face beautiful as the moon, remembering well the hospitable tendency of her husband, entered her spacious cottage.