THE fate of Kichaka made Draupadi an object of fear to the people of Virata. "This woman, so beautiful that she captures all hearts, is as dangerous as she is lovely, for the gandharvas guard her.

She is a great danger to the people of the city and the members of the royal house hold, for the gandharvas may stop at nothing in their jealous anger. It would be best to send her out of the city." Reflecting thus, the citizens went to Sudeshna and prayed to her to expel Draupadi.

Sudeshna told Draupadi: "You are, no doubt, a very virtuous lady, but kindly leave our city. I have had enough of you."There was only one month more to complete the stipulated period of living incognito and Draupadi begged earnestly to bepermitted to stay just another month by when, she said, her gandharva husbands would have realised their objects and would be ready to take her away with them.