During the visit of Govinda to the forest, while he was talking with the Pandavas, Panchali enquired the
charioteer of the Kingdom of Panchala.
“Charioteer, as it is forest life, I’m not getting any news from the kingdom of Druapada(Panchala).”
The charioteer started giving the news with some hesitation.
“Great Queen…I’m not supposed to reveal it. But I’ll tell you since you ask me. King of
Drupada gave the wrong information that Shikhandi was a man and made him marry the King of Dasarna , Hiranyavarma’s daughter. Knowing that Shikhandi was not a man, Hiranyavarma broke into fury and got even ready for a war. But now, I don’t know the reason, it is said that Hiranyavarma’s daughter has accepted Shikhandi and asked her father not to wage any war .” Panchali stood flabbergasted. Why did Father do this cruel deception? First he destroyed Draupadi’s life. Now the King of Dasarna’s daughter’s also. What is his inclination in resorting to such shameful acts? Draupadi felt a chill spreading all through her body. Shameful! Since the charioteer knew about it, Krishna also might have known about it. How will I face him? With unbearable
grief Draupadi asked him later.
“Krishna…When God creates human beings, he should not give them such cruel experiences. Or, does it mean that he watches everything and enjoys it?”
Krishna, even now, laughs. He is never seen without a smile. “It’s said that we should not trust men who always laugh.”
He contained what she said half-jokingly.
“True, Panchali. For you women, men are good when they love and bad when they hate. Now I understand that you loathe me.”
“Govinda…Don’t ever make this kind of a talk. Loathe you?
I…? Do you think, I—Draupadi, can do that? You are everything to me. I have already surrendered my life to you.”
Krishna asked with a crooked look.
“Oh…Is that why you remember that first love of yours, Karna again and again?”
“It’s true, Krishna… I can’t forget Karna. When my husbands neglect me, Draupadi has only Govinda and Karna as her own.” Karna! That name had always been my weakness. May be because, I loved him first. Sometime at intervals he appears before me and disappears all on a sudden. As if to enquire ‘Are you fine, my Lady?.’ Even the oceans have a past. Let nobody come to know of Draupadi’s first love. But Govinda knows everything. Even then that holy love does not remain a secret. In any woman there would be the skeleton of an old love. It is sure to wound the soft petals of
the sluices of her heart.
“Panchali again remembers Karna. Though I stand before you, you don’t try to think about me.”
“Govinda…If I ask you something, will you answer me?” “Who do you think I should respond to?”
“…Krishna , That
day in the Court, as you stretched the shawl to me, Karna also gave me his shawl! How did it happen?”
The magic eye twinkled in laughter.
“Only those who love you will have such a thought.” “So Karna…me?”
“Yes, Panchali. You are also known by the name ‘Krishna’…So you are always with me. When you call me ‘Krishna…Krishna…’ shouldn’t I be with you? Similarly Karna also calls in his mind, ‘Krishne…Krishne…’. It was Karna’s mind that gave you the shawl. Even otherwise you deserved it.
Draupadi looked at Krishna with surprise.
“The real First Pandava! Who should he give the shawl to? He only delayed a bit.”
Draupadi asked anxiously.
“Krishna…what all things do you say? Karna…?” Madhav(Krishna) again looked at her with a mischievous smile.
“ Panchali,…Draupadi…my beloved. I’ve said this out of my excessive adoration for you. Keep this as a secret in you. If the Pandavas come to know of it, they won’t prepare for the war. Kurukshethra War is indispensable. Hei, Beauty !…Don’t be responsible for averting the war.”
“Krishna…Madhav…Will war happen?” Draupadi’s words showed her apprehensions.
“Yes Panchali…Duryodhana has already drawn his death line. The contradictions of Fate have put the First Pandava Karna on the enemy side.”
“Krishna…what all things are you saying?”
“Yes, Panchali. Because of the play of Fate, Karna, the First Pandava was separated. Karna will know the truth from his mother before the war. I will also inform him. But Karna, the generous, virtuous, and worshipper of the Sun will not withdraw.”
From Krishna’s words Draupadi understood one thing. Karna is one among the Pandavas. That’s the reason for the resemblance between Karna and Arjuna. My doubts are confirmed. But…
Draupadi asked with fear and anxiety.
“Can’t the War be averted, Krishna…? Isn’t it wise to avoid a great disaster?”
“If Dharmaputra, son of Kunti, had willed, this disaster could have been avoided, Draupadi. Had he not gone for the game of dice for a second time, knowing clearly well that Shakuni would definitely defeat him in a foul play, this war would not have happened.”
Draupadi sat looking engrossed at Krishna’s face. After that, though the lips were trembling she managed to ask.
“ Krishna…When we return, won’t we be able to live in our country?”
Krishna looked detached.
“The whole country is under Duryodhana’s control. If he says he won’t give it, what can we do? If he says, you can’t live in his country, what shall we do? War is the only way out. War will happen, Draupadi. All the Kauravas will be destroyed.” “Krishna, I have fear…” Draupadi was about to cry. “Don’t be afraid, Panchali…I’m with you. Strengthen your
mind.”
Even when she vowed to Krishna that she would not reveal the secret of Karna, her mind was disturbed heavily. How did Karna become the First Pandava? Mother Kunti used to say that Karna was twelve years older than Dharmaputra. Mother’s love and care for Karna, though he was the son of a charioteer, occasional meeting, grief over Karna and such matters have also tortured her mind.
If Karna is Mother Kunti’s son, won’t he be one among the Pandavas? Then who is Karna to me? My own husband, isn’t he? What is wrong, if I have set apart one night for Karna? In future also, Panchali will have six nights. A long sleepless night would be my sixth night. The sweet fragrance of love spread between us because of that beautiful relation. If I see him again, I must tell him: ’Anga-King Karna, I adore you.’
(Cont’d)
