Vaishampayana said Rejected thus by the princess Kichaka, over-pressed with fearful lust capable of making one forgetful of all sense of propriety, said to Sudeshna.

O Kaikeyi, do that by which Sairandhri may be united with me. O Sudeshna, device a plan by which that Sairandhri of elephant-gait may accept me. Otherwise I intend putting end to my life.

Hearing the words of his thus lamenting in manifold terms the intelligent lady, Virata's queen, took pity on him.

Holding counsel with her own self and pondering over his desire and over the perturbation of Krishna, Sudeshna said to Suta's son (Kichaka).

Taking the advantage of some festival, better have wines and viands prepared. I shall then send her to you to bring some wine.

Thus sent thereto you should, in uninterrupted solitude, humour her according to your will. Thus cajoled most likely she may be attached to you.

Thus addressed he, in pursuance of his sister's words, came out and procured very fine wines worthy of a king.

Then he had various kinds of food, diverse sorts of meat of excellent degree and delicious drinks, and dishes prepared by the cooks skilled in the business.

This being done Sudeshna as previously intimated by Kichaka sent her Sairandhri to the abode of Kichaka, saying.

Sudeshna said O Sairandhri, get up and repair to the abode of Kichaka. O gentle one, bring wine for ime, for thirst afflicts me.

Draupadi said O princess, I shall not go to his house; O queen, you know yourself how shameless he is.

O beautiful lady of excellent limbs, in your house, I shall never prove myself faithless to my husband and lead a life of chastity.

O beautiful lady, you know full well the condition I made before I had entered your palace.

O you of beautiful hairs having good curls at the end, on seeing me that wicked Kichaka, rendered insolent by the god of desire, will dishonour me. O beautiful one, I shall not repair thither.

O princess, you have good many obedient maids, pray send one of them. Let good betide you, for surely he will insult me.

Sudeshna said "Dispatched by me from my palace he will hardly do any harm to you"; saying this she handed out to her a golden pot with a cover.

Filled with fear and shedding tears she asked for the divine protection, an then departed for Kichaka's house for fetching wine.

Draupadi said As I do not know any other save and except my husband, let not Kichaka, by strength of that virtue, be able to bring me into his power.

Vaishampayana said Then that helpless one worshipped the sungod for a moment and the deity understood all the prayers of her of slender waist.

Then he ordered a Rakshasa to protect her invisibly and from that time that Rakshasas also never left that blameless lady alone under any circumstances whatever.

Beholding Krishna come to his presence like a terrified doe, the Suta rose up just like a person wishing to go to the other end of a river when he obtains a boat.