or she told me that she is
exceedingly thirsty.' At this, Kichaka said, 'O gentle lady, others will
carry what the princess wants.' And saying this, the _Suta's_ son caught
hold of Draupadi's right arm. And at this, Draupadi exclaimed, 'As I
have never, from intoxication of the senses, been unfaithful to my
husbands even at heart, by that Truth, O wretch, I shall behold thee
dragged and lying powerless on the ground.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Seeing that large-eyed lady reproving him in
that strain, Kichaka suddenly seized her by the end of her upper garment
as she attempted to run away. And seized with violence by Kichaka, the
beautiful princess, unable to tolerate it, and with frame trembling with
wrath, and breathing quickly, dashed him to the ground. And dashed to
the ground thus, the sinful wretch tumbled down like a tree whose roots
had been cut. And having thrown Kichaka down on the ground when the
latter had seized her, she, trembling all over rushed to the court,
where king Yudhishthira was, for protection. And while she was running
with all her speed, Kichaka (who followed her), seizing her by the hair,
and bringing her down on the ground, kicked her in the very presence of
the king. Thereupon, O Bharata, the _Rakshasa_ that had been appointed
by Surya to protect Draupadi, gave Kichaka a shove with a force mighty
as that of the wind. And overpowered by the force of _Rakshasa_, Kichaka
reeled and fell down senseless on the ground, even like an uprooted
tree. And both Yudhishthira and Bhimasena who were seated there, beheld
with wrathful eyes that outrage on Krishna by Kichaka. And desirous of
compassing the destruction of the wicked Kichaka, the illustrious Bhima
gnashed his teeth in rage. And his forehead was covered with sweat, and
terrible wrinkles appeared thereon. And a smoky exhalation shot forth
from his eyes, and his eye-lashes stood on end. And that slayer of
hostile heroes pressed his forehead with his hands. And impelled by
rage, he was on the point of starting up with speed. Thereat king
Yudhishthira, apprehensive of discovery, squeezed his thumbs and
commanded Bhima to forbear. And Bhima who then looked like an infuriate
elephant eyeing a large tree, was thus forbidden by his elder brother.
And the latter said, 'Lookest thou, O cook, for trees for fuel. If thou
art in need of faggots, then go out and fell trees.' And the weeping
Draupadi of fair hips, approaching the entrance of the court, and see