Draupadi-Meera Oberoi.pdf

96 THE MAHABHARA TA killed Vaka." No word was said about the powerful young brahmana living in his own house. XXI One night a stranger arrived at the brahmana's house and over dinner casualy mentioned that Draupada, King of Panchala, was holding a svay...

96 THE MAHABHARA TA killed Vaka." No word was said about the powerful young brahmana living in his own house. XXI One night a stranger arrived at the brahmana's house and over dinner casualy mentioned that Draupada, King of Panchala, was holding a svayamvara for his daughter Krishnaa whose enchanting form and face, he said, were beyond the description of any poet. The Pandavas sat up as the stranger narrated the story of her extraordinary birth and her fabled beauty. You say this princess was born out of a sacrificial fire, that she's as lovely as Shi," they said. "No woman can be as beautiful as that." Tm not exaggerating or fantasizing. The whole world knows of her unusual birth and unearthly beauty," the stranger said. That night sleep deserted the heroes and in the morning Kunti, noticing her sons' wan faces and vacant eyes, hid her mile.we have stayed long enough in Ekachara, one shouldn't outstay one's welcome," she said blandly. 1 think we ought to go to Panchala. We've never been there and I hear the people of the ity are generous to brahmanas." Yudhishthira bowed, all acquiescence. Tt's our duty to obey your commands, Mother," he said and suddenly al her sons tound good reasons tor going to Panchala. Kunti expressionlessly concurred with their convoluted reasoning.  THE M AHAB HARATA Vyasa arived in Ekachara before their departure and the Pandavas touched his fcet making the ritual offerings. The rishi surveyed them critically. You look well," he said cheerfully. "Your hardships sit lightly on you. Now I want you to go to Panchala - Draupada is holding a svayamvara for his daughter and if you win the princess you will be extremely fortunate." The Pandavas left for Panchala stopping en route at the great ascetic Devala's hermitage to request his younger brother Dhaumya to become their family priest. Dhaumya agreed and left the hermitage. The roads leading to the capital teemed with mery, josting crowds, all on their way to attend the svayamvara. The Pandavas prudently joined a group of brahmanas mingling with the throng to avoid notice. The people around had only one topic of conversation Draupada's daughter. "The scent of the blue lotus emanates from her. One can smell it two miles away" "She's flawless; slender-waisted as the yellow wasp with moon-bright eyes." They say princes and kings from every land will attend and much wealth will be distributed to brahmanas." The Pandavas had no interest in the wealth but drank in every word about Draupadi, Princess of Panchala. In the city they found lodgings with a humble potter and their unsuspecting host thought they were what they appeared to be, poor, simple brahmanas, for they led the eleemosynary life customary to the caste. The city hummed with activity. Bright gay pavilions sprang up and an amphitheatre surrounded by gardens and groves rose, the whole enclosed within high walls. But Draupada, King of the Panchalas, was not happy. He  books.google.co.in/books?id= But Draupada, King otf the Panchalas, was not happy. He 98 THE MAHABHARA TA had always wanted Draupadi to marry Arjuna because with him as son-in-law, Drona would have put aside his bitter enmity. The brahmana warrior would never harm his beloved pupil's father-in-law. Now that will never happen, the Pandavas are dead, he thought. But he was determined that the man who mamied her should be as formidable a warrior as the third Pandava. To this end he had ordered a mighty bow which only Arjuna could have strung with ease and a mechanical device with a revolving ring on top. This machine he installed in the amphitheatre. The pavilions were packed long before the auspicious hour when Draupadi would make her choice. Spectators and prospective bridegrooms milled around, the latter wondering at the strange contraption in the amphitheatre and bristlingg with barely concealed rivalry when they accosted each other. Among the kings were Duryodhana, Duhshasana, Kama, Shakuni, Krishna and Balarama of the Vrishnis, cousins to the Pandavas, and Jarasandha, the king of Magdha. The Pandavas unobtrusively went into the enclosure reserved for brahmanas and sat down. The princess of Panchala entered escorted by her brother Dhrishtadyumna and the hush as he led her to the centre was palpable. "Listen carefully, if you aspire to my siste?s hand," he announced. "The man who strings this bow sending five arrows through the ring on the revobingg wheel and hits the target will be the one to wed her." Tension mounted visibly and the monarchs looked with veiled constemation at the great bow. Each one thought he would succeed where others would not. One by one they rose to string the bow but all failed to even bend it. Krishna, Kunt's nephew, the younger son of her brocher Vasudeva, idly glancing around spotted the unusually well-muscled  books.google.co.lin/books?id=l 1dly glancing around spotted the unusualty wel-muscled THE MAHABHARATA 99 brahmanas. He had never given much credence to the story about the Pandavas' death and his gaze sharpened as he noticed bow-string marks on their shoulders. He touched his elder brother, Balarama, on the shoulder. "See those five brahmanas there," he murmured with a slight nod. "Theyre no brahmanas but Yudhishthira and his brothers, Il bet my life on it." Balarama ganced around casualy resting his gaze briefly on the five young men. "You could be right," he said keeping his voice equally low. Nobody else however noticed the powerfully built mendicants, so intent were they on the events in the arena. After Duryodhana and Duhshasana failed to string the bow Karma rose and walked into the arena. His golden armour shone ike the sun and his earings dazzled the eye. Picking up the bow and bending it effortdessly, he strung it in one deft movement. He placed the fletch of an arrow against the bow-string and drew it back, but before he could release it Draupadi raised her head and looked contemptuously at him. I will not have a suta for my lord," she enunciated slowty and clearly, her eyes flashing. Kama went taut as his bow-string and with a grim laugh threw the bow down. He raised agonized eyes to the sun before rerurning to his seat. Nobody clse met with even half as much success. Arruna, itching to get his hands on the bow, when al roe the kshatriyas had tried and failed. The kings laughed aloud when the deer-skin clad brahmana picked up the bow and the brahmanas were no less astounded to see one of their caste vainly hoping to beat the kshatriyas at their own game. "How can a brahmana stripling, ignorant in the use of weapons, do what kshatriya kings could not?" they murmured.  books.google.co.in/books?id=l weapons, do what kshatriya kings could notr" they mumured. 100 THE MAHAB HARA TA But some ascetics thought him daring. "He may well bring glory to the brahmanas," they said and a cheer rose as thousands of brahmanas clapped and banged their water- pots in encouragement Arjuna raised the bow and strung it with the fluid grace that comes ot long practice. His hands bhured and five arrows in quick succession flew through the ring on the revolving wheel and the target dropped to the ground. The brahmanas applauded with uncharacteristic abandon but the kings on their thrones glowered. To be bested by a brahmana was mortifying in the extreme. Draupada taking stock of the stalwart young brahmana found hope rising. Perhaps the Pandavas were not dead after all. When the target fell Draupaci looked up and her eye glowed they alighted on the young brahmana. Shyly she as walked up to him and placed the garland of flowers around his neck. The princess had chosen her lord which infurated the kshatriya kings. Disappointment mingled with humiliation and they rose in a body. "A svayamvara is for kshatriyas only, they complained to Draupada. "A brahmana cannot wed according to kshatriya rites. Draupadi must choose one of us!" Without more ado they picked up their swords and maces and rushed into the amphitheatre, fully intending to caut Arjuna to pieces but Bhima leapt down from the stands with a back fell on mighty roar The kings surged as the Pandava them. Standing back to back the two brothers fought off the mob of angry kshatriyas with grim detemination. Bhima tore up a tree, and Krishna who was looking on smiled faintty drawing Balarama's attention to it. Thatr's Bhima for certain and the other one Arjuna. I'm as sure of that as I amm of my own name. Only Bhima has that trick of using trees as  books.google.co.in/books?id= of my own name. Only Bhima has that trick of using trees as THE MAHABHARATA 101 clubs and only Arjuna ocould have shot down that target. Our aunt Kunti and her sons did escape the fire in Varanavata," he stated with quiet satisfaction. The brahmanas decided to assist their fellow brahmana and joined the fray. "We are with you!" they shouted to Bhima and Arjuna as they hurled their water-pots and stafts at the beleaguered monarchs. In the melee Kama came face to face with Arjuna. "Who are you?" he asked in surprise. "You fight rather well. No one with the exception of Arjuna can hold his own against me." Tm just apoor brahmana," Arjuna replied countering a blow, "nothing other than what you see." Bhima picked up his uncle Shalya renowned for his and fung him down to the constemation of all the prowess for Shalya not easily bested, kshatriyas compeling them to revise their opinion of the two brahmanas. These are trained wariors," some mutered, fear streaking through their veins. "Kama and Shalya have few pecrs. Only Balarama or Bhima could have thrown Shalya down." The kings drew back giving the two brahmanas a wide berth. Kishna's sweet, cdear oice rose above the clamour. "Draupada's daughter has been abating This fight is absurd and to no fairly won," he said. Their ardour considerably purpose." dampened, the kings, busy avoiding oncoming missiles of water-pots and staffs, gave the Arjuna and Bhima a chance to slip away with Draupadi. Once out, they quickly made their way to the potter's house.  books.google.co.in/books?id=i 102 THE MAHA BHARATA XXI Kunti gazing at the darkening sky anáously wondered why her sons had not retumed. Had Duryodhana's men found them? Then in the stillness of the twilit evening she heard Arjuna's voice and relxed. Aruna entered with Draupadi. "Here are the alms I received today, Mother," he said, a laugh in his voice. Kunti, busy with some task, did not look up. "Share it amongst yourselves and enjoy what you've brought," she said and glancing up, saw Draupadi. Her eyes widened in dismay. done!" she cried rurning to Yudhishthira. " Oh, what have I didn't realize Arjuna was tallking about the king's daughter when he said 'alms. But my words must not become an untruth." Yudhishthira turmed to Arjuna. "You won her, you should be the one to marry her," he said. Arjuna shook his head. "How can I mary when my elder brothers are still unwed he pointed out. "t goes against the grain and the scriptures frown on such an act." Sidelong glances were cast at Draupadi as the Pandavas waited for Yudhishthira, as the eldest, to settle the issue. Yudhishthira perceived that all his brothers seemed mesmerized by Draupadiï's beauty and realized that if Draupadi became the wife of only one of them she could well become the cause of dissension. That had to be avoided at all cost. Draupadi will become our common wife," he pronounced at last. Krishna and Balarama who had followed the Pandavas  books.g00gle.co.in/books?id=l Krishna and Balarama who had tollowed the Pandavas THE M AHAB HARATA 103 saw them enter the potters house. As soon as opportunity presented itself, Krishna went in first and touched Yudhishthira's feet. Balarama followed in his wake. Tm Krishna," Krishna said and the two Vrishnis then touched Kunti's feet. "Were your brother's sons. Tm Devaki's son and he is Rohini's" The Pandavas were overjoyed to meet cousins who did not envy them, on the contrary, these seemed to hold them in deep affection. "How did you find us, see through our disguise? Yudhishthia asked. "We managed to dupe everyone else." Krishna's eyes twinkled. "A fire can't hide even if covered. Only the Pandavas could have stood their ground aganst that mob of raging kings and only Arjuna could have strung that bow and shot down the target. You're hucky Duryodhana and his men aren't gifted with perception. But well leave now in case the Kauravas wonder what we're doing in a potter's house," he concluded on a more serious note. Krishna and Balarama were not the only ones who followed the Pandavas home. Dhrishtadyumna, determined to discover the identity of the warrior-brahmana who had won his sister, followed them and hid himself inside their chamber. He obeerved Kunti serving food and noted that Bhima received the largest portion. At night he saw his sister lie down at their feet and listened to the conversation among the brothers with interest. He heard them discuss wars, weapons, strategy and statesmanship, subjects dear to a kshatriya's heart. Not a word did he hear of the Vedas or the Shastras, penance or piety. Slipping away before dawn he went straight to Draupada. The Panchala king tumed aniously to his son. "I only hope the man who won Krishna is not a shudra or vaisya," he said heavily. "Oh, my son, I hope I haven't cast a wreath of  books.google.co.in/books?id=l 104 THE MAHABH ARATA lotuses into a cremation ground. I had set my heart on marrying Draupadi to Arjuna but that was not to be." Dhrishtadyumna smiled broadly. "I think thae's just what she has done, Father," he said. "I followed the brahmanas to their house and what I saw makes me seriously doubt the story of the Pandavas' death. There are five brothers and nd one of them remotely resembles a brahmana, a man who spends most of his life in severe penance. These men are solidly muscled and have the wariors graceful, lithe walk When they speak it is not about the Shastras or Vedas, but about weapons and warfare! I saw the big one uproot a tree in the mele. No brahmana is capable of that." Draupada grew hopeful as his son continued. "I also saw their mother - she's more regal than any lady Ive seen. They are no brahmanas, Father, but the Pandavas and the lady is Kunti. They escaped that fire!" wanted his son to be right but he Draupada desperately had to make absolutely certain. He sent for the family priest. "Go to the potter's house and find out all you can about the people living there," he ordered. "Tell them that Pandu was a dear friend of mine, that I had hoped Arjuna would wed my daughter. Add that nothing will give me greater pleasure than to perforrn the mariage ceremony of my daughter." The priest delivered the message verbatim and only then did Yudhishthira tell Bhima to wash his feet, a civility he deliberately forbore observe as he was unsure of the man's to intentions. "The king of the Panchalas did not choose his brother daughter's groom, she was given to the winner. My won her fairly in an open competition. As such Draupada has forfeited his rights to demand the suitor's lineage or race, but you can tell him that he's got what he desired," Yudhishthira said.  10:18 EC ® 2APIAE books.google.co.in/books ?id=l THE M AHABHARA TA 105 from the king As the priest rose to leave a messenger arrived. "King Draupada invites the bridegroom and his family outside." announced. "The chariots await to a feast," he refuse. They got into the The Pandavas could hardly chariots with Draupadi and Kunti and went to the palace. his great hall Before his guests arrived Draupada surveyed with a highly critical eye and observed that his instructions There were three kind of had been carried out to the letter. for kings, less ornate couches for seats-richlyinlaid thrones There ones for the shudras. the vaisyas and simple wooden gold, copper and tin. On some were three types of plates of every kind and against walls, as ordered, were weapons others placed the sacred texts. were and personally escorted Draupada received the Pandavas commit some social them to the hall, fully expecting them to that the faux pas, but noticed, with concealed pleasure, to be out of their impoverished brahmanas did not appear milieu in royal surroundings. They were neither gauche nor ill at ease and their manners were pleasant and charming. When offered seats automatically disported themselves they on the ones reserved for princes and when offered food, picked up the gold plates without a thought. base-born King Draupada was relieved. These were no men whatever else they were. Their physiques proclaimed them highly trained wariors and they held themselves with the casual pride of princes. He noticed with immense satisfaction that their eyes lingered not on the sacred texts but on the display of weapons. These were surely men of royal blood. Draupada decided to end the charade. DoI address you as brahmanas or kshatriyas?" he enquired politely. "The wedding rites, ought they to be those of the brahmanas or kshatriyas" 10:18 C E2 A O I A books.google.co.in/books ?id-= THE MAHABHARA TA 106 Yudhishthira's lips. "King of the A smile tugged at what you want," he said. "We are Panchalas, you have got of stock but kshatriyas, the sons not of vulgar, common one there is Bhima, and Pandu. I am Yudhishthira, the large on both shoulders is Arjuna. the one with bow-sting marks Sahadeva" The handsome twins are Nakula and joy.his He had to make assurance Draupada fhmly quashed are indeed Pandu's sons, tell me how you doubly sure. "Ifyou said. escaped from Varanavata," he that led to their Yudhishthira briefly narrated the events heard him out without interruption. escape and Draupada When he spoke, he had The facts he found were all there. Dhritarashtra. "The man nothing complimentary to say about but is weak and vacillating," came the scathing comment, now you have me to backyou and Im not without considerable power. I will help you regain your kingdom. In the meanwhile you will live here with me in the palace. Now about Draupadi's marriage to Aruna.." Yudhishthira interrupted him. "I must mary too," he said clearly. Draupada was a little taken aback but not averse to having Yudhishthira as a son-in-law instead. Tve no objections to he said heartily. "It doesn't matter which any of you in fact," one of you marries her." Yudhishthiras face grew bland. "Your daughter will many all of us," he said calmy. "She will be our common wife. ODur mother has commanded it." Draupada was stunned and an expression of distaste crossed his features. "No woman has five husbands!" he expostulated Polygamy is acceptable and condoned by society, not polyandry!" Draupadi will mary all of us, Yudhishthira repeated and O  10:18 E2 IAO O books.google.co.in/books?id=I THE MAHA BHARATA 107 went on to erplain. "Whenever any one of us gets something, it's shared among all five. We have never deviated from this tradition and will not do so now. We will take your daughter's hand one by one and walk around the sacred fire." Draupada refused to consider it. "This goes against every moral creed," he said sharply. Tt is sinful and the Vedas forbid it" "Morality is a subtle issue," came Yudhishthira's quiet rejoinder. "Tm merely following the footsteps of my ancestors in obeying my mother. Obedience to one's parents is regarded as the highest good. No virtue will be tarnished if we all mary Draupadi." Draupada gave up. He could not argue ethics and moraliry with Dharma's son, a man renowned for his virtuous nature and intelligence. "Discuss it with my son and your mother and let me know the decision in the morming" he said curty and rose. But before the irate king could leave the court Vyasa entered and everyone rose to touch his feet. The sage blessed them and sat down. Tm glad to see you looking so well," he said to the Pandavas and Kunt, smiling as he embraced them. Draupada appealed to Vyasa. "Yudhishthira says they will all marry Draupadi," he said with renulsion. "Is it not immoral for a woman to wed five men?" I must admit that the custom is now obsolete and I own the do not approve of but I Vedas polyandry, before give my opinion I want to know how you and your son feel about it," Vyasa said neutraly. "Best of brahmanas, there's no doubt about howI feel-I think it's vile!" Draupada said bluntly. And you Vyasa asked Dhrishtadyumna. Do you think I can be anything other than revolted by O 108 THE MAHABHAR ATA the idea of my sister marrying five men?" he asked causticaly. I don't like it. The younger brother's wife is regarded as a daughter. I càn't imagine an elder brothertaking younger his brother's wife bed!" The repugnance showed. "Moreover to the sages and rishis conde1nn polyandry." Yudhishthira broke in softly. "In the Puranas, Jatila, renowned for her virtue and piety, wed the Saptarshis, and Varkshi, Rishi Kundi's daughter, married the ten Prachetesas. Varkshi was Daksa's mother and the three-eyed god Shiva maried her granddaughter. Anyone acquainted with morality knows that obedience to one's elders is regarded as the greatest of virtues. Our mother commanded us to share Draupadi. In obeying her we cannot sin." The argument was imefutable. "What Yudhishthira says is true," Draupada conceded to Vyasa. "Polyandry was once popular and condoned but I still cannot like it." Vyasa rose and led the disgruntled king out of the hal Wel discuss this in private," he said quietly. He convinced the king that his daughter would not be flouting any moral or social code by marying the Pandavas. "There's another reason for this rather unusual mariage. In her last life Shiva granted your daughter a boon that she would have five husbands. Draupadi was a rishi's daughter and she prayed to Shiva to give her a husband. When Shiva appeared, she, in her fervour, asked him five times for one and Shiva granted her desire to the letter. He said she would have five husbands," he said with a smile. But Draupada could not see the humour in it and, though he could not possibly find fault with Shiva's boon, he was far from joyous about it. "If Shiva has ordained it then it must be right," came the grudging acceptance. The Pandavas married Draupadi the same night. Vyasa O  10:20 aNVIA 0 O books.google.co.in/books ?id=l The Pandavas married Draupadi the same night. Vyasa THE MAHABHARATA 109 chanted the sacred officiated, Dhaumya lit the sacred fire, around the fire mantras and the Pandavas, in tum, walked with Draupadi. Once he had overcome his initial repugnance Draupada his daughter had maried the Pandavas. Dronas was glad never harm their father-in-law. hand was stayed, he would Krishna on receiving word that his cousins had wed Draupada's daughter sent them rich gifts of gold and pearls, clephants and horses. The news that the Pandavas were alive and had mamied Draupada's daughter spread throughout Draupada's capital.L Many kings were happy to leam Pandu's sons had not perished in the fire and held the opinion that Dhritarashtra and his sons had swindled them. But to some it brought no joy. Duryodhana brooded over the tum of events in sullen rage. Td have hanged Purochana for his bungling had he survived" he said viciously as they rode out of Panchala. "Too bad he's dead already" As soon as Vidura received information that the Pandavas had wed Draupadi he went to Dhritarashtra. "The Kunus are fortunate," he said. "They have won Draupadi, Princess of Panchala" Dhritarashtra promptly assumed that Duryodhana had won the fire-borm princess and beamed with delight. "Decorate the ity and have omaments made for Draupada's daughter," he commanded. Hastinapura will welcome my son and his bride with all honour and ceremony. The joy faded from Vidura's face. "Duryodhana did not win the princess," he said quietly. "ts Pandu's sons who did. In Panchala they met Krishna and Balarama who sent them magnificent gifts when they mamied her. They have powerful kinsmen and alies now."  10:20 E o 0 ra SIA books.google.co.in/books?id= 110 THE MAHABHARA TA Dhritarashtra hid his chagrin well. He had genuinely moumed the Pandavas when he had heard of their demise but the news that they were alive and had married Draupada's makes me daughter did not afford him any pleasure. "That "Pandu's sons are even more delighted," he said feigning joy. as dear to me as my own and Ilm glad they are alive and well." deceived. "I Vidura, who knew his brother wel, was not alter in the days to come," he hope your sentiments will not said quiethy. XX Dhritarashtra was alone in his chamber when Duryodhana entered with Karna, his face fhushed with anger. "I waited ill Vidura left, what I have to say to you is not for his ears," he Pandavas said, low and furious. "When you were told that the are alive I heard you say you were glad. How can you find that welcome news? Your enemy's good fortune oughtn't to fill you with joy. Unless you want to see the Kauravas wiped of all power so that out, do something. Strip the Pandavas never again can they become a threat to us." I share your sentiments, my son," Dhritarashtra admitted, albeit with reluctance, "but I couldn't possibly have said as much to Vidura, he loves them dearly. I said what 1 did only because I had to show proper sentiments but now that we're alone, tell me what you and Kama have planned." Duryodhana threw Karna a sidelong glance seeking THE MAHABHARA TA 111