Vaishampayana said: “Having seen the slain sutas, the people went to the king and reported: ‘O king, more than a hundred sons of sutas have been slain by the gandharvas. As the great summit of a mountain, split by the thunderbolt, appears shattered, so the sutas lie upon the ground. Sairandhri, however, has been freed and is coming back to your house. Your whole city, O king, will fall under suspicion. For Sairandhri is such in form, and the gandharvas are mighty; she is, without doubt, desired by men for union. Therefore, O king, arrange matters so that this city may not swiftly perish because of Sairandhri.’ Hearing their words, the army commander Virata said: ‘Let the last rites be performed for these sutas. Let all the Kichakas be quickly burned upon a single well-kindled fire, together with all their jewels and fragrances.’ And the king, seized by fear, said to his queen Sudeshna: ‘When Sairandhri comes, tell her in my own words: “Go, Sairandhri, blessings upon you, wherever you wish. The king, O fair-hipped one, fears defeat at the hands of the gandharvas.” I myself dare not say this to a woman protected by gandharvas; women are blameless in saying it to her, so I tell it to you instead.’”