gid vows
there also slew a mighty cannibal, Vaka by name, terrible as Hidimva
himself. And having slain that fierce cannibal, Bhima that foremost of
smiters, went with all his brothers to the capital of Drupada. And, O
Krishna, as thou hadst acquired Rukmim, the daughter of Bhishmaka, even
so Savyasachin, while residing there, obtained me! O slayer of Madhu,
Arjuna won me in the _Swayamvara_, having performed a feat difficult of
achievement by others and having fought also with the assembled kings!

"'Thus, O Krishna, afflicted with numerous griefs, and in great
distress, am I living, with Dhaumya at our head, but deprived of the
company of the adorable Kunti! Why do these that are gifted with
strength and possessed of the prowess of the lion, sit indifferently,
beholding me thus afflicted by enemies so despicable? Suffering such
wrongs at the hands of wicked and evil-doing foes of small strength, am
I to burn in grief so long? Born I was in a great race, coming into the
world in an extraordinary way! I am also the beloved wife of the
Pandavas, and the daughter-in-law of the illustrious Pandu! The foremost
of women and devoted to my husbands, even I, O Krishna, was seized by
hair, O slayer of Madhu, in the sight of the Pandavas, each of whom is
like an Indra himself!'

"Saying this the mild-speeched Krishna hid her face with her soft hands
like the buds of lotus, and began to weep. And the tears of Panchali
begot of grief washed her deep, plump and graceful breasts crowned with
auspicious marks. And wiping her eyes and sighing frequently she said
these words angrily and in a choked voice, 'Husbands, or sons, or
friends, or brothers, or father, have I none! Nor have I thee, O thou
slayer of Madhu, for ye all, beholding me treated so cruelly by inferior
foes, sit still unmoved! My grief at Karna's ridicule is incapable of
being assuaged! On these grounds I deserve to be ever protected by thee,
O Kesava, _viz_., our relationship, thy respect (for me), our
friendship, and thy lordship (over me).'"

Vaisampayana continued, "In that assembly of heroes Vasudeva then spake
unto the weeping Draupadi as follows, 'O fair lady, the wives of those
with whom thou art angry, shall weep even like thee, beholding their
husbands dead on the ground, weltering in blood and their bodies covered
with the arrows of Vivatsu! Weep not, lady, for I will exert to the
utmost of my powers for the sons of Pandu! I promise thou shalt (once
more) b