A mother knows a virgin daughter’s mind better than anybody else. When she found her daughter looking pale,
but, bright on her return from the temple, she realized that her daughter was preoccupied with other thoughts. She has reached her marriageable age.
Draupadi said to Mandakini on reaching the inner chamber of the palace.
“Mandakini, I can’t forget that young charming Prince. What a glory! How majestic he looks! I desire
to see that handsome young man again. My beloved Karna, King of Anga, looks as brilliant as the Sun-God freshly risen on the earth. I desire to make that extraordinarily good looking young man my husband.”
Draupadi sensed a peacock dancing in a frenzy within her. The coloured feathers were swinging in Cupid’s revelry. Those ear danglings dazzled like the mid-day sun. He wore a smile vying the rainbow.
“Mandakini,” Draupadi called her dear maid in a low voice.
She was deeply emotional when she said:
“ I want to see my beloved Karna now…this very moment itself.”
“My Karna?” Mandakini laughed in jest. At the next moment her expression changed into grave.
“No, my Princess, It is dangerous to entertain unnecessary thoughts. Don’t forget that even the pillars have eyes and ears. At the most opportune time, the great King would marry you, my Princess, to a most noble King of Kings.”
“Her Highness the Queen has arrived.” When another maid announced it, Draupadi’s expression of love gave way to bewilderment.
Why has Mother come at this time?
Mandakini said in fear.”Princess, didn’t I say? Her Highness the Queen has come to know of the incident at Gowri temple.”
Draupadi surmised: Wasn’t there a smile when Mother entered? The Queen came and sat beside her. She held her daughter’s hand and made her sit near her. Her sister Ujjwala who came behind her, only stood there. She had a man’s physical and mental prowess and manly nature. There was a fearful look of mixed anger and ferociousness on her face. She was the first born daughter to her Father. Draupadi was scared of her. She was with a woman’s figure and man’s nature. She spoke harshly. Haughty and arrogant. The fire of wrath always flared in her eyes! Father was constantly worried about Sister Shikhandi. She behaved as if she hated the whole world. She might have been like this because of her physical peculiarity in her birth.
Draupadi smiled at her, but it was not responded. Draupadi stammered. “Sister, Do you hate me?” Her reply came like a thunder startling her.
“My hatred is not towards you; but towards the whole male world.”
Mother did not bother, probably because she was used to such talk.
Mother caressed the soft cheeks of Draupadi, and asked her cajolingly.
“Do you know why we came? A Swayamvara is going to happen.”
Draupadi asked innocently. “Mother, whose Swayamvara?”
“Yours… my daughter’s. It’s decided to have a festival for seven days in connection with your Swayamvara, my darling daughter.”
Suddenly a pleasant tremor ran through Draupadi. She experienced the coolness and the fragrance of the showers of flowers deep within her. The fallen flowers lay before her as on a royal path. The armour and the ear-danglings glittered in her heart with the glory of the sun.
Karna, King of Anga will come for the Swayamvara; he cannot miss it. Draupadi’s heart instantly became the hornbill—the rain bird—longing for the monsoon rains. Like innumerable streams join together to make a river…When all her desires take the form of Swayamvara in front of her, and her mind is already prepared for it …only to wait with the wedding garland for her beloved…
Mother laughed.
Sister Shikhandi- Ujjwala spoke, not in soft notes, but coarsely. “Father, Brother, and I had only one condition to put forward. The Pandavas should not become our relatives-in-law, especially, Arjuna. Since they were all burned to death, there won’t be any suspicion of their intrusion. Arjuna—damn him—he made our Father captive and made him give half of the country to Drona. Though we came to know that the Pandavas were burned and finished in the fire, my hatred towards them hasn’t
yet extinguished.”
Even after Mother and Sister left, Draupadi went on reflecting on the issue.
Somehow she couldn’t accept the fact that the Pandavas who were great fighters were dead in the fire. Her mind repeatedly said that it would not happen. As it was going to be a Swayamvara, there was no possibility of fear and anxiety, she thought.
Princess Draupadi can put the garland on anyone she likes to be her husband. Nobody will block her from doing it. The shining armour-ear-ornament-bearer has filled her heart like a dancing peacock with the feathers spread in beautiful patterns.
The Swayamvara took place at the end of the seven days’ festival. People from all over the country came to partake in the festival of Swayamvara. The temple visit was indispensable on the eve of the wedding. Father gave her consent. Her mind whispered on and on that Karna would definitely reach for the Swayamvara.
The kings from far away countries started arriving the day before itself. Chambers in the Royal Palace had already been prepared for them.
Dreams in torrents poured heavily into Draupadi’s heart! She was mentally prepared for the
Swayamvara.
Mandakini came to Draupadi and into her ears she whispered.
“I know why you are enthusiastic. Not simply enthusiastic. You have over enthusiasm…over excitement! Oh, Princess, you think that King of Anga would be in the precincts of the temple.”
Draupadi didn’t bother to deny.
“Yes, Mandakini, My inner voice tells me that my Cupid would be there. I know it. I can feel it. Karna, the King of Anga—the young Prince will definitely be there.”
“Oh Princess! Please don’t forget that tomorrow is your
Swayamvara.”
“ Sakhi!,my friend, Each body has a different colour. Have you noticed it? The nature of our body is different. Brown indicates greed, the dark cloud-like hue shows anger. The angry thoughts of a wrathful man circle like the poisonous snake’s heavy folds of body. Copper mixed with dark red shows enmity or hostility. Dark gray shows fear. An ordinary grey colour indicates deceit. Dark red vibrates with love. The colour of love is the rose’s itself which the heart desires for. That’s why the rose is given to lovers. A man who has the extraordinary brilliance of the rose flower will spread the fragrance of his love among all. The colour of the golden yellow means excellence and pride. If intellect is high and selfless, the yellow colour will shine like gold. Yellow shows intellect. My King of Anga has such colour. Golden yellow for body and the brilliance of gold for face. Self-esteem, excellence, and intellect belongs to him. Blueness is the colour of righteous thoughts. Light blue shows high level of spiritual vision; Bright blue indicates sublime spiritual vision. Mandakini! isn’t Krishna’s colour good blue?”
Mandakini stood stunned on hearing Draupadi’s words of wisdom.
The maid knew Draupadi would never go wrong, as she was a scholar in all the subjects.
Drushtadyumnan detained her when they were about to go to the temple.
“The virgin whose Swayamvara is fixed should not go out of the Palace.”
“Father has given me consent, Brother. Attendants and soldiers are coming with me for help. On the eve of the Swayamvara, the bride has to worship at the temple of the family deity.”
Drushtadyumnan stood reflective for some time. Then he said slowly.
“Get your sister Ujjwala to accompany you. She is brave enough to confront an ordinary army.”
Draupadi felt angry when her brother asked her to get the help of Shikhandi. But she did not show her anger.
Ujjwala got ready on hearing her brother’s order. The foot soldiers and maids moved in front of Draupadi’s chariot and behind it . Ujjwala was on horseback in front of everybody. She looked like a man.
If she hadn’t the round and fleshy breasts, Ujjwala would be a man himself. When Draupadi prayed in the temple she found the goddess prettier than ever. But she did not forget to glance around to have a glimpse of the idol in her heart. Sister Ujjwala who had the nature of man was standing far away. Draupadi ‘s presumption was not mistaken.
The young handsome man who conquered her heart at the very first sight emerged from the midst of the densely grown trees. He bowed to the goddess in supplication. Then he looked deeply into Draupadi’s eyes.
“I’ve come for the Swayamvara.” He retorted to the query which Draupadi had desired to raise, but was in her eyes. While getting entangled in his enticing eyes, Draupadi sensed a turmoil of emotions ebbing and flowing within her.
Karna’s lips played a secret , mischievous smile when he spoke again.
“Shall I take you to my Palace without waiting for the
Swayamvara…?”
Draupadi felt elated. The words she longed to hear struck a myriad notes with in her. When the man utters the words the woman has nestled deep in her heart, there lies the magic of a beautiful harmony.
Unabashed, Draupadi replied.
“You can take me away. I’m willing to be taken.”
Now it was the turn of Karna to be astonished. A most beautiful and intelligent woman! The one who has learned the Vedas, the Upanishads and the logic of science! She says without any hesitation, ‘Take me away.’
Surprised, Karna asked.
“ So… Princess, you mean, you love me?”
“Why do you doubt?” Draupadi’s heart throbbed faster to say more.
“I came receiving the invitation for the Swayamvara. Now I feel, there’s no need of a Swayamvara.”
Karna’s soliloquy was a bit loud.
“That day itself, I accepted you into my heart as my bridegroom. What remains only is to garland you by way of ceremony.”
Karna laughed.
When all the colours mixed and mingled and formed into a splendid rainbow in the inner eye of Draupadi, Karna said.
“ You can garland me with the one you brought for the deity.
We can go straight to Anga.” Draupadi said with a smile.
“Won’t it be much happier and joyful to garland you when all the kings watch over?”
Fate is often beyond our thoughts and assumptions. Even while we are cajoled and made happy, it will change its face like Nature. Nature makes us happy giving us the greenness, light, pure air to breath, water to drink, but at the next moment gets furious and destroys everything in storm, earthquake, torrential rains, and floods .
It was then that suddenly Shikhandi -Ujjwala who had been looking away from the temple turned to the direction where they were standing and saw Karna. A loud scream was the result. Drawing out the sword from the sheath she rushed to him.
“Who are you?”
She raised the sword. Karna faced her fearlessly.
“I’m Karna. King of Anga. I’ve come to Panchala on invitation for the Swayamvara.”
Shikhandi got angry.
“Those who have come for Swayamvara should go to the King of Panchala’s Palace. But, you are not permitted to talk to the bride for Swayamvara.”
“If this young lady accepts me during Swayamvara… Or, if suppose, if at this moment I steal her away?”
Karna stood unperturbed.
“ What…? Such impertinence on your part?”
Shikhandi raised her sword and waved it hard. Karna drew out his sword and blocked it.
Shikhandi shouted in fury.
“Karna! I don’t care whether you are a king or not. You dare to steal the bride for Swayamvara? Do you? I’m going to chop your tongue that uttered these words, this very moment.”
Draupadi saw the soldiers who accompanied her getting prepared for a fight.
She knew that Shikhandi could not control herself when she got angry. A battle itself might happen. Draupadi ran to Shikhandi.
“No…No… my Sister. He has come on our Father’s invitation.Please forgive him for my sake.”
“ Should I pardon this insolent creature?” Shikhandi shouted in obstinate anger.
“No. I will rest only after chopping him dead.” Draupadi wept bitterly.
“Sister, I’m going to marry this Karna. Please don’t fight with him.”
Shikhandi was stunned. Then she said haughtily.
“I won’t allow you to marry this impudent one. Stop your prayers and worship, Draupadi.”
Shikhandi held Draupadi’s hand tightly and walked away.
The smile on Karna’s lips made Draupadi bold. But she never knew that Fate would appear in the form of Shikhandi with poisonous spite and desire for vengeance.
Shikhandi went straight to Drushtadyumnan and His Highness. What Draupadi feared of happened.
Shikhandi- Ujjwala said to her brother.
“Many impertinent Kings have come. Panchali should not marry any such person. She must marry a great warrior. One who is invincible in the skills of science. Isn’t it better to make tomorrow’s Swayamvara a contest? Princess’s bridegroom must be a heroic Kshathriya—a real fighter.”
King and Drushtadyumnan approved of her opinion. “Ujjwala! We accept your opinion. Let’s decide on it now
itself.”
King of Drupad called for his ministers and discussed the matter. They suggested different ways of the contest. It was Shikhandi herself who suggested a tactic to select one proficient in archery for her sister. She explained a strategy.
“There must be a pool of water below. On the top there should be a revolving nest of a machine with a wooden bird in the middle. The bird should also revolve along with the machine. The one who shoots the arrow at the bird and make it fall must marry Parshadi.”
Drushtadyumnan, for the first time, appreciated Shikhandi for her intelligence. He had hated Ujjwala. He never used to talk to her as she was a eunuch. But he recognized that this suggestion came from a man’s brain.
“Sister Ujjwala, You must help our Father in our country’s public affairs also. You have great intellect. We approve of any opinion you have.”
The King was pleased that Drushtadyumnan had accepted his daughter Shikhandi.
Shikhandi laughed for the first time. It was a villainous laughter which cast a black shadow to loom large in Draupadi’s life.
(Cont’d)
