Section CCLXV

Vaisampayana said, "O Bharata, Kotikakhya related to those princes who had been waiting, all that had passed between him and Krishna.

And hearing Kotikakhya’s words, Jayadratha said to that scion of the race of Sivi,

'Having listened only to her speech, my heart has been lovingly inclined towards that ornament of womankind. Why therefore, hast you returned (thus unsuccessful)? I tell you truly, O you of mighty arms, that having once seen this lady, other women now seem to me like so many monkeys. I having looked at her, she has captivated my heart. Do tell me, O Saivya, if that excellent lady is of the human kind.'

Kotika replied,

'This lady is the famous princess Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, and the celebrated wife of the five sons of Pandu. She is the much esteemed and beloved and chaste wife of the sons of Pritha. Taking her with you, do you proceed towards Sauvira!'"

Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the evil-minded Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, Sauvira and other countries, said,

'I must see Draupadi.'

And with six other men he entered that solitary hermitage, like a wolf entering the den of a lion. And he said unto Krishna,

'Hail to you, excellent lady! Are your husbands well and those, besides, whose prosperity you always wishest.'

Draupadi replied,

'Kunti’s son king Yudhishthira of the race of Kuru, his brothers, myself, and all those of whom you have enquired of, are well. Is everything right with your kingdom, your government, exchequer, and your army? Art you, as sole ruler, governing with justice the rich countries of Saivya, Sivi, Sindhu and others that you have brought under your sway? Do you, O prince, accept this water for washing your feet.

Do you also take this seat. I offer you fifty animals for your train’s breakfast. Besides these, Yudhishthira himself, the son of Kunti, will give you porcine deer and Nanku deer, and does, and antelopes, and Sarabhas, and rabbits, and Ruru deer, and bears, and Samvara deer and gayals and many other animals, besides wild boars and buffaloes and other animals of the quadruped tribe.'

Hearing this Jayadratha replied, saying,

'All is well with me. By offering to provide our breakfast, you have in a manner actually done it. Come now and ride my chariot and be completely happy. For it becomes not you to have any regard for the miserable sons of Pritha who are living in the woods, whose energies have been paralysed, whose kingdom has been snatched and whose fortunes are at the lowest ebb. A woman of sense like you does not attach herself to a husband that is poor. She should follow her lord when he is in prosperity but abandon him when in adversity.

The sons of Pandu have for ever fallen away from their high state, and have lost their kingdom for all time to come. You have no need, therefore, to partake of their misery from any regard for them. Therefore, O you of beautiful hips, forsaking the sons of Pandu, be happy by becoming my wife, and share you with me the kingdoms of Sindhu and Sauvira.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these frightful words of the king of Sindhu, Krishna retired from that place, her face furrowed into a frown owing to the contraction of her eye-brows.

But disregarding his words from supreme contempt, the slender-waisted Krishna reproving said unto the king of Sindhu,

’speak not thus again! Art you not ashamed? Be on your guard!'

And that lady of irreproachable character anxiously expecting the return of her husband, began, with long speeches, to beguile him completely."