In plain words
When we want to get a thing done, we cannot avoid doing even things that should not be done. At such times we must not keep any feeling of difference, of I am lowly, I am great. So do as I tell you,' He said. Then Draupadī said, 'Kṛṣṇa! Have I ever disobeyed Your word? I would easily give up even my life, but I will not give up Your command. I will carry out Your command,' she said. The time was ten at night. The Pāṇḍavas were in the Pāṇḍavas' tents. The Kauravas were in the Kauravas' tents. But Bhīṣmācārya was staying apart, in a tent of his own. He had said those words in some passion, in that situation; but now he was grieving within himself. These Pāṇḍavas are the very embodiments of Satya and Dharma. Vowed to Satya are these Pāṇḍavas. How am I to kill them? This is not just! 'I am doing something that should not be done,' he grieved within himself. He took no food at all. He only paced this way and that, that way and this. How am I to do this? How am I to save my word? How am I to keep it? So he paced about, pondering. God, who directs the drama of His līlā, can avert troubles by any number of stratagems. He told Draupadī. Mother! In these circumstances, if you and I go together, people are crows. You set out a little ahead and go. There, that is Bhīṣmācārya's tent. I shall come behind, He said. As for her: in those days the sandals of princesses used to make a great deal of noise. The sandals she wore used to make a great deal of noise. He stopped her. Draupadī! At this time you cannot go wearing sandals like these. 'Give your sandals to Me,' and He took those sandals. He wrapped them in His upper cloth. Bhīṣma was pacing about with his head bowed, deep in thought. Go quickly and fall at his feet. Merely falling there will be of no use. Let him hear the sound of your bangles, He said. She ran off. She fell at the feet of Bhīṣma as he paced this way and that. She made her bangles sound. At once Bhīṣma, deep in thought, took her for some wife whose husband lives and blessed her: 'Long may you live a wife whose husband lives!' At once she rejoiced. 'Grandsire! That is just what I came to ask for,' she said. As they talked this way: 'Who devised this stratagem? Who brought you here?