Sairandhri Settles It
Virata Parva - Chapter 24
Virata Parva is the story of the Pandavas thirteenth year in exile.
https://crackpot.substack.com/t/virata
As It Rhymes
1.
Vaishampayana said,
Kichakas’ shattered corpses piled on pyre pallets. Â
Townspeople clattered street justice mallets.
2.
The Sutas were torn gut to gullet.
Like lightning struck every man on the mountain.
3.
The townspeople cried,
‘As long as Sairandhri roams free, no man is safe in this city.
This woman’s beauty is a menace to society.
4.
Sairandhri’s husbands’ burst suss kinetic force.
Sairandhri lights the fires of men’s desire for sacramental intercourse.’
5.
Women prevailed upon King Virata to sentence exile.
Men feared being mushed over a smile.
6-7.
Virata scoffed when he heard.
Virata said,
‘Transport the dead to the pyre.
Read the last rites with no delay.
Make the pyre nice with gems and scent spray.
Then light the hay.’
8.
‘Sudeshna - hear, hear.Â
You are the harmonic of this demonic deed.
Tell Sairandhri the king has no need.
9-10.
The king does not wish to cross her path.
The king fears triggering her divine wrath.‘Â
11.
Krishnaa felt liberated from fear and pain.
The sutas lay slain stripped plain.Â
12.
Krishnaa felt like a tigress.
Before entering Virata Krishnaa washed her dress.
13.
People took flight at Krishnaa’s approach.
People felt fright by Krishnaa’s reproach.
14.
Krishnaa saw Bhimasena standing in the door looking big as a hallway.
Panchali gave the Bhima a merry wave.
15.
Draupadi gazed at Bhima.
‘Hi - salutation!’
16.
Bhimasena said,
‘Fie’ to that situation.’
17.
Then Draupadi glanced Dhananjaya in a dress dance with women in the hall.
Krishnaa laughed at the absurdity of it all.
18.
Krishnaa watched Arjuna and the dancing girls exit the stage.Â
Krishnaa suppressed her rage.
19.
The virgins said,
‘Divine favor frees Sairandhri from her chains.
Divine favor smashed the Suta’s brains.
Sairandhri, what misery remains?’
20.
Brihannala said,
‘Tell me Sairandhri, have those stained with sin been slain?
What’s your opinion?’
21.
Sairandhri said,
‘Brihannala, what do you care about Sairandhri's pain?
Do you desire women in vain?Â
22.
Why should I brag?
You smiled when I got dragged.’
23.
Brihannala said,
‘I have crosses to bear.
You can’t see behind the mask I wear.
24.
The meek cover fear with smiles.
This week we shed tears for crocodiles.
Praise be Sairandhri is free of Kichaka’s wiles.
25.
Why my boat capsized you’ll never know.
It’s not possible to know another’s woe.’
26.
Tears rolled from Arjuna’s painted eyes.
Draupadi strode into the King’s residence to give Queen Sudeshna a faint surprise.
27.
Sudeshna felt her soup go cold.
‘Sairandhri, you may come and go.
28.
The king begs you from his knees to please leave him be.
Young woman, go be free, be blessed, and have mercy.’
29.
Sairandhri said,
‘Tell Virata I will stay for a spell.
I agree to let him grieve.
30.
Tell the king I wish him well.Â
After a fortnight we will leave.’
Thus ends Virata parva.
Notes
[1] Vaishampayana, Janamejaya ibid.
[11] Krishnaa is Draupadi
[12] Sharduli - the mythical tigress.
[14] Panchali is Draupadi
[17] Dhananjaya is Arjuna.Â
[20] Brihannala is Arjuna's alias in Virata. Â
Recall that apart from Bhima, none of the Pandavas know what's going on.
Some may suspect Draupadi of involvement with Kichaka - hence Arjuna's double pointed question.
[25] One may have to read between the lines to imagine the situation Arjuna was in. Â