Draupadi - Kichaka's Death

Kichaka's Death

While the Pandavas were leading their normal life in their own disguised form, one day Kichaka, the brother of Sudeshana, and the commander of king Virata’s forces, happened to see the Draupadi. He was filled with lust by looking at her. He asked her to marry him, but Draupadi refuses him saying that she is already married to ‘Gandharvas’, so as not to reveal their true identity as they were in exile. She warns Kichaka that her husbands are very strong and he would not be able to escape death at their hands. Later he forces his sister, queen Sudeshana to help him win Draupadi. Sudeshana orders Draupadi to fetch wine from Kichak's house. Draupadi tries to dissuade the queen from sending her to Kichaka's house but fails. When Draupadi goes to get wine, Kichaka tries to molest her. Draupadi escapes and runs into the court of Virata. Kichaka kicks her in front of all the courtiers including Yudhisthira who was also present in the court at that time. The king being weak in front of Kichaka does not take any action. Draupadi asks about the duties of a king and dharma. Draupadi then curses Kichaka in the court that her husbands ‘Gandharvas’ will surely kill him. However, Kichaka only doubts their whereabouts and asks those present in the court where are they then. Yudhisthira then in disguise of being the king's adviser replies, that they Gandharvas would not come as they want her to forgive Kichaka for the time being. With this the king asks Kichaka to leave for the honour of the court and praises Yudhistira's reply as he himself could not think of anything. Later that night, Pandavas together hatch a plan to kill Kichaka. Khichaka meets her later again and tells her that he is the strongest in that country and she has no way other than to accept him. Draupadi, as per the plan, agrees with him but on condition that none of his friends or brothers should know about their relationship. Kichaka accepts her condition and promises her that he will not let anyone know. Draupadi asks Kichaka to come to the dancing hall at night. Bhima(in the guise of Draupadi) that night in the dancing hall, fights with Kichaka and kills him. (Book 4: Virata Parva, Kichaka-badha Parva)