Arjuna met Rishi Vyasa at the gate tower. He was in a hurry to see Drupada King. Arjun had a great expectation. He
knew it.
“Arjuna…What is your opinion in the matter about Draupadi?”
“Actually Draupadi had garlanded me as her bridegroom, Grandfather! I’m not in a mental condition to accept what my elder brothers and Mother have decided.”
The beginning of a war. Vyasa realized. If it is not handled cleverly, this will blaze up. Brothers will become enemies. Kinship and love among siblings will be lost. That should not happen. If the Pandavas quarrel among themselves, their future will be bleak. He thought of a strategical step. He walked straight to the King’s throne. Draupadi had heard the stories circulated in the inner chamber. She was also excited. Getting irritated by the previous day’s talk, Yudishthira had invited the great sage Vyasa. She prepared herself to become the woman for Arjuna only. She did not nurse any hatred towards Arjuna for talking without disrespect to the elders. Dryshtadyumnan and King of Drupada happily received Rishi Vyasa.
The King could not control his sorrow when he saw the Rishi. Oh, Great Sage! Kindly solve the problem of my sorrow. As Vyasa had already consulted Kunti and decided on it, he yarned a new story and convincingly told the King.
“Oh, King, Draupadi was an ascetic virgin named Nalayini in the earlier birth. She asked Lord Siva for a husband five times, and so Draupadi is her re-birth. As she uttered the word husband repeatedly for five times, during this birth she is becoming the wife of five husbands. King of Drupada ! Please marry Draupadi to the five Pandavas.”
Panchali’s father and brother had no answer to make. This must be God’s will. They tried to console themselves.
King of Drupada reached the inner chamber of the palace and regretfully said.
“Daughter! If we oppose it, the Pandavas will abandon you. You won’t get another bridegroom then. This disgrace will affect the whole country of Panchala. Think for yourself, daughter! The Pandavas will not go back on this decision. So , my daughter, get ready to marry the Pandavas!” So saying he retraced his steps.
Draupadi cast a miserable look at Sister Shikhandi. Shikhandi wiped away her overflowing tears and said.
“ Panchali, I’m responsible for this. If it had been Karna the King of Anga, this would not have happened. If it had even been the cruel and wicked Kauravas, this would not have happened to you. But you have to agree to this to save the country of Panchala from disgrace. But one thing I can tell you for sure. Your life will be destroyed because of the eldest brother. The first Pandava will not obey anybody. He has got Mother Kunti’s blessings. It’s your fate to serve the low-minded lot.”
Is this fate? After destroying everything, why should you blame fate? The word ‘Fate’ is the one which settles everything. Those who walk along unrighteousness will harbor only such thoughts. If the first Pandava could do this kind of cruelty how can we find wrong with the deeds of the so-called evil- minded Kauravas! Kauravas might have tried to kill them in fire because of their ignoble behavior! As Sister Ujjwala said, Yudhishthira is not a person of good conduct. His lusty look after Swayamvara itself is a proof of this. Draupadi hated Yudhishthira. But she decided to surrender to fate. According to Rishi Vyasa’s advice, first the wedding with Dharmaputra took place. Each day, each Pandava—the wedding and the sleeping with each. Draupadi’s eyes overflowed when Father gave Draupadi’s hand to Dharmaputra’s hand. After the wedding, she told her mother.
“ Sumangala told me that Mother did not get me from the Yaga fire…Somebody had placed me as an infant at the Yaga tent. What she said was true, wasn’t it Ma?”
Mother stared at Draupadi. Draupadi smiled sorrowfully. “Had I been born in the Yaga fire, I would not have met with such a misfortune.”
Mother was stunned. She was about to say something. “That…Daughter…”
Draupadi gestured not to say anything and said.
“ I was the daughter of a maid. The maid’s daughter has finally become another maid.”
Mother did not reply, instead, she only sighed. While she was walking towards her inner chamber, her heart was filled with sorrow, about to burst. Rishi Vyasa, Krishna, Yudhishthira and all were cheating Draupadi. Vyasa was encouraged to throw a woman to five because of his obligation to Kunti. Here, only I am defeated…the world simply praises the one born in the Yaga fire. She was bewildered by the wild revelry of the black mask-wearers . Fatigued in body and mind, she is stepping into a new life. No channel for hatred and spite. With the warmth of kindness and submissiveness, Draupadi prepared her mind to set off to a place where there were no dreams. The satanic figure of uncertainty was after her. In the midst of the unknowledgeable people, just go ahead like the fire in the melted ghee. In the coming nights which would be sleepless nights…in the midst of the frightening thoughts…giving importance to a glorious idol which was placed in mind like the traces of the snow…she would live . She must win. Draupadi’s mind, love, kindness, and sympathy are for Arjuna who married her first and the King of Anga who poured the rivulets of love first into her heart. Dharmaputra will be defeated thus. Draupadi, as if it were a vow, pouring fire into her heart for burning for a lifetime, stood looking at her fate with undaunted will.
(Cont’d)
