Design and Rhetoric in a Sanskrit Court Epic: The Kiratarjuniya of Bharavi

Appendix A.

Appendix A
Draupadı̄ Rebukes Yudhis .t .hira: Kir. I.27-46 27 When Drupada’s daughter heard that their enemies were flourishing, she could no longer hold back the resentment they had provoked. She spoke words designed to arouse the king’s anger, to stir him to action. 28 “For a woman to advise men like you is almost an insult. And yet, my deep troubles compel me to overstep the limits of womanly conduct, make me speak up. 29 The kings of your race, brave as Indra, have for a long time ruled the earth without a break. But now with your own hand you have thrown it away, like a rutting elephant tearing off his garland with his trunk. 30 Fools who do not use craft against the crafty are destined for defeat. Rogues will penetrate and destroy them like sharp arrows that pierce and kill the warrior who has no armor to protect him. 31 What other king, proud of his birth and assured of loyal friends, 191 192 Appendix A would let enemies steal the glory of his royal house, that is like a lovely highborn wife in love with his virtues? 32 King, as you walk on a path scorned by self-respecting men how is it that anger does not inflame you as a kindled fire blazes up and sets fire to the dry śamı̄ tree? 33 Men willingly submit to the man who makes effective use of anger to overcome his difficulties. Whether he is friendly or hostile, people have no respect for one who lacks indignation. 34 You who treasure truth, does it not pain your heart to see Bhı̄ma who once wore red sandal-paste now covered with dust, he who once rode in a great chariot, now wandering in the mountains? 35 Indra-like Arjuna, Winner-of-Wealth, he who once conquered the Northern Kurus and brought you great treasure, now fetches you the bark you wear. Why are you not stirred to anger? 36 Look at the twins, bodies hardened from sleeping on the forest floor, hair grown long and dishevelled, like wild elephants! How can you still remain calm and content? 37 I do not understand your attitude— but then, men’s minds work in such different ways! When I think of your utter misfortune, my griefs press heavily on my heart. Draupadı̄ Rebukes Yudhis .t .hira 193 38 You who once slept on a luxurious bed and woke up to the auspicious songs and panegyrics of bards, now lie on ground overgrown with kuśa grass and awake to the unholy howls of jackals. 39 King, your body was once sleek, nourished by the rich food that you dined on after giving the brahmans their share. Now, as you live on wild berries, it grows painfully lean, along with your fame! 40 Your feet always rested on a jewelled footstool where they were gilded by the pollen from the wreaths on the heads of kings. Those feet now tread on clumps of kuśa grass cropped by deer. 41 It truly wrenches my heart to think that the enemy is the cause of your plight. A man of self-respect may rejoice even in defeat, only so long as his enemies have not broken his courage. 42 O king, give up peace! I beg you, assume your splendid warlike spirit once more, so that you may kill the enemy! It is detached ascetics, not kings, who conquer their enemies and reach perfection through peace. 43 If men like you, who value their fame above all else, most eminent among great heroes, acquiesce in such an insult, alas, self-respect is dead, for it has lost its only abode! 44 If you choose to reject heroic action and see forbearance as the road to future happiness, then throw away your bow, the symbol of royalty, 194 Appendix A wear your hair matted in knots, stay here and make offerings in the sacred fire! 45 Since your enemies are bent on deceiving you, it is not proper for a mighty hero like you to hold to your promise. Kings who want to conquer can find ways to break treaties made with enemies. 46 Like the sun grown dim from the withdrawal of light by the decree of fate and time, with feeble rays, sunken in the fathomless ocean, you are weak from the...