Kotikashya Questions Draupadi in the Hermitage
A group of kings, hunting in the forest, comes upon a lone woman of extraordinary beauty standing in a hermitage, holding a kadamba branch. Their leader, Kotikashya, demands to know who she is, whose wife or daughter she is — and introduces the powerful kings who stand with him, including Jayadratha of Souvira.
The hermitage was quiet. The kadamba tree stood at its center, its branches heavy with flowers, and from one low-hanging branch a woman held on as though the tree itself were the only fixed point in a world that had shifted.
She was alone.
Her beauty was unmistakable even from a distance — radiant as flames in the night, fanned by wind. The kings who had come hunting in the forest reined in their horses and chariots when they saw her. She did not run. She did not call out. She stood there, holding the branch, and waited.
Kotikashya, son of King Suratha, was the first to speak.
"O beautiful one! Who are you, standing alone in this hermitage and holding onto the lowered branch of a kadamba tree? You are as radiant as the flames of a fire in the night, fanned by the wind. You are endowed with supreme beauty. Are you not scared of this forest? Are you a goddess, a yakshi (forest spirit) or a danavi (demoness)? Are you a beautiful apsara (celestial dancer) or a beautiful lady from the daitya (demon) lineage? Is your beautiful form that of a serpent princess? Are you a demoness who walks the forests at night? Are you the wife of King Varuna, or Yama, or Soma, or the lord of riches? Have you come from the abodes of Dhata, Vidhata, Savita, Vibhu or Shakra?"
She did not answer.
"You have not asked us who we are, nor do we know who your protector is. O fortunate one! Increasing your respect, we are asking you who your powerful lord is. Tell us the names of your relatives, husband and lineage, and also the details of what you are doing here."
Then he introduced himself and the men who accompanied him.
"I am the son of King Suratha and men know me as Kotikashya."
He gestured to the chariot beside him. "The one who is seated on that golden chariot, like oblations being poured into the fire in an altar, is the king of Trigarta. His eyes are as long as a lotus and that brave one has the name of Kshemankara."
He pointed further. "The foremost son of the king of Kuninda is behind him, holding a giant bow in his hand. He is wide in the shoulders and is gazing at you in wonder. He always dwells in the mountains."
"A dark and handsome youth is standing near the pond. He is the son of Subala, king of the Ikshvakus. O one with the beautiful body! He is one who slays his enemies."
Then Kotikashya's voice shifted, as though he were introducing the most important figure in the company.
"There is one who is followed by twelve princes from Souvira, waving flags. All their chariots are yoked to red horses, like blazing fires at sites of sacrifices. Their names are Angaraka, Kunjara, Guptaka, Shatrunjaya, Sanjaya, Supravriddha, Prabhankara, Bhramara, Ravi, Shura, Pratapa and Kuhara. He is followed by six thousand on chariots and elephants, horses and infantry. O fortunate one! If you have heard of the name of Jayadratha, the king of Souvira, that one is he. After him, there are his undaunted brothers, Balahaka, Anika and Vidarana, and all the other brave and young ones from Souvira. But they are all inferior to the king in strength. The king is travelling with these companions, like Indra protected by the Maruts."
He finished his introduction and fixed his gaze on her.
"O one with the beautiful hair! Now tell us what we do not know. Whose wife are you? Whose daughter are you?" Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 546