Draupadi – the mother goddess – went through a difficult life after marrying to the Pandava-s led by the gambler Yudhishthira. I pointed out why Yudhishthira is more harmful to Draupadi than Dushasana in my earlier post. Please see Yudhishthira, A Failed Gambler. Her problems did not go away even in her exile life.
Jayadratha – King of Sindhu – was a womanizer. He was the husband of Dusshala, the only daughter of blind king Dhritarashtra. When Pandava-s lived in Kamyaka forest (Somewhere in Haryana state) during their exile, Jayadratha crossed that area with his army.
Jayadratha humiliates Draupadi
Draupadi lived a simple life and crossed his way. Leered by her beauty, he enquired about her. He came to know that she is Draupadi. When Pandava-s went out to collect food, he went to meet her with lascivious thoughts. Unaware of his motive, Draupadi engaged him until her husband came back. Later he asked her to come with him to Sindhu and forced her to be his concubine. Enraged by his insolent breach of conduct, Draupadi shouted at him. But he forcefully took her in his chariot despite her protest.
… Come. Ascend my chariot and discover complete happiness. The Parthas are wretched and live in the forest. They have lost their fortune and have been dislodged from their kingdom…. You should not serve them. …. Out of affection towards them, you should not suffer that misery. O one with …. ! Be my wife. Abandon them and obtain happiness. With me, share the kingdoms of Sindhu and Souvira.
Jayadratha to Draupadi, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Jayadratha humiliates Draupadi – Raja Ravi Varma
Pandava-s chased him, after they came to know about him. Arjuna and Bhima scattered Sindhu’s army and punished Jayadratha severely. Yudhishthira came to rescue him, as he was the husband of their first niece. With unquenching anger, Bhima shaved one side of his head and mustache and left him alive.
Duryodhana was jealous about Pandava‘s wealth. In addition, he got humiliated when he fell down into water at the palace of Indraprastha. By mistake, he thought Draupadi mocked him with derision. He wanted to take revenge for this. Shakuni – his maternal uncle – consoled him. He ensured him that he can win Pandava-s with the Chinese policy of winning without firing a bullet.
Kunti’s son loves to gamble with dice, but does not know how to play. If challenged to play, that Indra among kings will not be able to refuse. I am skilled in gambling with dice, there is no one on earth, or in the three worlds, who is my equal. Challenge Kunti’s son to a game of dice. O king! O bull among men! With my skill in dice?! there is no doubt that I will win for you the kingdom and the blazing prosperity. O Duryodhana! Tell the king?? all this. And if your father permits, there is no doubt that I will vanquish him.
Shakuni to Duryodhana – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Shakuni consoles Duryodhana
Yudhishthira had been invited to play a game of dice, a gambling for fun! It was considered as a “virtual war”. Whatever lost is lost. Yudhishthira – so called dharma – practiced adharma (sin) here. He risked insignificant things at first, later he lost everything one by one. Explaining the way he lost his wealth is not the motive of this post.
Mahabharata dice game
We need to understand the situation of the gambler who lost what he risked. With single game, he wanted to set right everything, he failed miserably again. At one point of time, he risks his brothers, then himself, then his wife Draupadi in the game, even though Vidura advised him to stop the game.
Mahabharata dice game
I like the face of Yudhishthira in the above drawing!
When he lost wife, Duryodhana summoned Pandava‘s wife and the queen of honour, Draupadi. Draupadi was mensurating then. Her question was logical. She asked if he lost him first before he lost her. If he lost him first, did he had any rights over her? Unfortunately, none of Pandava-s and Kaurava-s were logical. Kaurava-s acted out of the their suppressed wrath and Pandava-s acted with utter foolishness.
Draupadi’s humiliation. Image (c) Keshav
Logical questions of Draupadi irritated Duryodhana – ‘the new possessor’ of the lady, as agreed by the son of ‘dharma‘, Yudhishthira. He asked Dushasana to bring her to court. The young Kaurava broke all the rules of women’s court, trespassed there, pulled Draupadi’s hair as hard as he can. Draupadi resisted, but she was no match to him. She tried to make him understand that she is Panchala puthri (daughter of Panchala) and daughter-in-law of their house. It did not change his mind. It was an explosive situation, everybody was in its flow. She has been pulled, dragged in front of public and brought to court with improper attire.
Draupadi’s humiliation
Jeyamohan used to call it as ‘male-evil‘. It worked at its best. Duryodhana abused her to sit on his lap, as she is his slave, then. Kaurava-s told that slaves – Pandava-s and their wife – should not wear royal clothing. They made them undressed, including Draupadi. It was the greatest mistake to allow Dushasana to to disrobe Draupadi and challenged the modest of a woman, who was a queen, who was his own sister-in-law, who was a daughter in law of the greatest family of Bharatakhanda.
Draupadi dragged from her chamberDraupadi’s humiliationDraupadi’s humiliation
I do not believe the story of Krishna to issue the endless saree which made Dushasana to become tired. It was clean violation of modesty of woman in typical Indian way. Jeyamohan handled this piece in a more practical approach in his Mahabharata novel series, Venmurasu. It was Lakshmana – Duryodhana’s daughter – and other females of the royal family cover Draupadi with cloths by chanting the name of Krishna. ) I got into tears with much emotion when I read chapter 87 of Panniru Padaikalam novel of Venmurasu series.
The male evil will not stop its assault on female. We see that everyday. An innocent female get a rude husband and a soft male get an impudent wife. This seems to be naked truth.
I can point out several examples for such behavior from contemporary world as well.
A lady chief of a party was humiliated and disrobed in Tamilnadu assembly hall by the ministers of ruling party.
Lakbima – a popular Sinhalese daily printed vulger cartoon about a prime minister of India and a lady chief minister of Indian state
Acid was thrown at A lady IAS officer for being rough and tough by another political party in Tamilnadu
So, when a woman can not be won, a male will manhandle her habitually.
Except Bhima, every one in Kuru clan – including Bhishma, Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva kept quiet. Even after such grave incident, Yudhishthira accepted to gamble. We can understand how addicted he is. He lost it too. In turn he needs to live in exile for thirteen years. With deep distress in mind, hiding his face from his own people, the great adharmi Yudhishthira, left the city.
Pandavas in exile
Abusing Duryodhana and Dushasana for disrobing Draupadi is not new. But do we have a soft corner for Yudhishthira to escape from this crime?
Did he ever realize his mistake? Never. Even after this incident, he agreed to gamble. He lost that game also, in turn, entire Pandava-s were forced to live in exile for thirteen years.
Did he has any rights over Indraprastha on his own? No. Although he is a king, he can not be a dictator. Kingdom is made of people. A gambler who risks his own people is not a good king. Calling himself as a dharma is inappropriate.
Did he build the city in his own money? No. He is a beggar. The land belongs to his ancestors. Money to build the city came from Hastinapur, Panchala and Dwaraka. He did not give it back. Rather, he lost all of them to his addiction of gambling.
Did he discuss with Draupadi about gambling? No.
Did he love Draupadi, at least? IMHO, he is not a loveable man. He expressed himself as a pure opportunistic through out Mahabharata. He tried to find justifications from veda-s or smriti-s to cover up his selfish behavior. He is not skilled archer or wrestler or he did not excel in any martial arts. Draupadi was wife of Arjuna, by right. Yudhishthira shared among all by quoting so called Dharma. He might have felt inferior because of these reasons. This might have forced him to take extreme decisions during gambling, to prove himself. Alas, he miserably failed.
Mahabharata text shows he used to praise Draupadi during different discussions. They look like a mode of public conduct – nothing else. I doubt if he loved his own wife Devika. No girl will love such a bored creature!
Did he respect advices of Vidura? No. Remember – he is the reason for Pandava-s to return alive from the house of lac.
Did he understand the effort in building Indraprastha? No.
It took many rounds of negotiations to get a land from Hastinapur. Pandava-s could not get it. It was Krishna who lobbied for them.
Khandavaprastha was a dense forest. Krishna and Arjuna put their effort in converting into a habitable land. They need to go on a war with Indra before doing it.
If Yudhishthira put any effort to build it, he might have given a second thought, before risking it on gambling.
If Draupadi married Karna, would he gamble her like Yudhishthira?
Krishna points out (during Pandava-s exile) that she too, reasonable for her own misery. As per his opinion, a great warrior like Karna will never gamble her away. But Draupadi rejected him during his Swayamvara on the basis of caste. Draupadi chose a priest in disguise over a charioteer. Unfortunately Arjuna, the priest in disguise, shared her among his brothers and gambled her. This is convincing for us.
Whom do we worship? Pandava-s or Yudhishthira?
Draupadi is the goddess for our society.
It is not Dushasana to be blamed first, it is Yudhishthira, the gambler!
The Rajasuya Yagna (ceremony) was not that simple to Yudhishthira. It is an ancient process of make all other kings of Bharathakanda to agree that someone is their equal. Not an easy job for Yudhishthira. He want to coronate himself with the support of rest of his Pandava-s, wealth from Panchala, Hastinapur and Dwaraka. In addition, he need a supreme diplomat – Krishna – to make Yudhishthira’s claim uncontested.
Jarasandha
Obviously the mighty king with powerful army – Jarasandha, the king of Magadha – will not agree. His relationship with Yadava-s was not positive, as he wanted revenge for the death of his friend Kamsa – the maternal uncle of Krishna, who killed his own uncle.
Yadava-s had worst experience with Jarasandha earlier. Being scared of him, they moved from Gokulam to Dwaraka, which is far away from rest of the countries.
Jara merges two parts of Jarasandha. Picture (c) Wikipedia
It is impossible to kill Jarasandha. May be, Bhima can fight. Still it will be a fight between two equal wrestlers. Hence Krishna made a conspiracy.
The Brahman-s (priests) had rights to ask Kings for gifts. Kings will not refuse. Jarasandha was not an exception too. Krishna made use of this. Krishna, Arjuna and Bhima disguised themselves as priests. When Jarasandha asked for their plea, Krishna asked him to wrestle with one of them until death.
Bhima fights Jarasandha. Picture (c) Wikipedia
The great warrior Jarasandha chose Bhima as other two were not his match. The fight went on for long time. Krishna suggested Bhima to tear Jarasandha into two parts. After a long fight, Bhima did it. Before he tastes his victory, the body parts joined together.
Bhima and Jarasandha Wrestling – Picture (c) Unknown
Bhima looked at Krishna confusingly. Krishna showed him a gesture by tearing the a stick and place the pieces in inverted directions. The long fight started again even more ferociously. Finally Bhima teared Jarasandha and broke the two body parts in two different directions in inverted manner. The mighty king Jarasandha was killed. His son was coronated as a puppet ruler, supporting Pandava-s.
Shishupala and Krishna were cousin. Astrologers predicted that he will be killed by Krishna. Hence Shishupala’s mother requested Krishna not to do so if her son abuses him. Krishna promised her that he will tolerate one hundred times. When it is breached, he said, he will retaliate.
During Yudhishthira’s coronation ceremony, he selected Krishna as the guest of honor. Rest of the kshatriya-s were not happy. Then king of Chedi kingdom, Shishupala, jumped angrily from his seat to object this. He started abusing Krishna one after another a cowherd like Krishna to take supreme seat in the presence of Kshatria-s.
O Madhava! If the Kounteyas are scared and if they have become mean as a consequence of their asceticism, surely you could have enlightened them about what kind of honour you deserve. O Janardana! If in their meanness they offered you a homage that you are not worthy of, why did you accept it? Though undeserving, you set great store on this homage, like a dog that has found an offering of sacrificial ghee and consumes it in private. O Janardana! This is not only an insult to the Indras among kings. The Kurus have also brought out your true nature. O Madhusudana! You are not a king and this royal homage to you is like a wife to the impotent or a beautiful sight to the blind.
Shishupala to Krishna – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
When he reached the 100th time, Krishna warned him that he is about to cross the limit of Krishna’s promise to Shishupala’s mother. He did not mind. He resumed his abuse 101th time. Krishna took his Sudarshan chakra – the sharp discus – and beheaded him.
After Pandava-s married Draupadi, they could not hide any more. They exposed themselves to external world. They stayed in Panchala for sometime. Accompanied by Krishna, they reached Hastinapur.
Khandavaprastha became Indraprastha
They appeared before the blind king Dhritarashtra. He blessed him. The bilateral negotiations about the ownership of the throne was started. Krishna lobbied for Yudhishthira through Vidura. Vidura advised Dhritarashtra to give up this throne and return it to Yudhishthira.
Dhritarashtra refused as per the story. He admitted to Vidura that his sons may not work under Pandava-s. This sounds logical to me as a reader. After negotiations, Dhritarashtra accepted to give some land from Hastinapur dynasty. It is Khandavaprastha.
Khandava means forest. As named correctly, it is a dense forest, an abode of all creatures, situated in the banks of Yamuna. Krishna ordered Pandava-s to burn the forest completely. All creatures were destroyed including the naga-s (serpents). The affected Naga-s sought Indra’s help. Indra accepted to help. He came up with in the form of thunderstorm. Probably, a worst rain might have lashed. Arjuna formed a shelter of arrows, so that rain does not disturb the fire. Finally, the forest is destroyed, so are the animals and rakshasa-s , except the Asura architect Maya. Maya sought refuge. In turn, he constructed a beautiful city – INDRAPRASTHA – for Pandava-s.
Khandavaprastha on fire. Krishna and Arjuna fought with Indra
The wealth of Yadava capital Dwaraka (on which I named my blog!!) poured into the construction of Indraprastha. Panchala and Hastinapur might offer their own share as well. Finally there comes a beautiful – may be luxurious – city. It had ports in Yamuna river. It became abode of new dwellers, who came in as Indraprastha picked up. It became a market hub under the rule of Pandava emperor Yudhishthira and empress Draupadi.
IndraprasthaIndraprasthaKrishna in Indraprastha. Image (c) art-maPandava-s with Draupadi, Raja Ravi Varma
Duryodhana’s humiliation
Many kings were invited to Indraprastha for Yudhisthira’s Rajasuya yagna. Kaurava-s were invited too as they were cousins. As per the text, Duryodhana was jealous at the wealth of Pandava-s while gazing at the palace.
The evil eye of fate turned to this beautiful city. Duryodhana did many mistakes there as the building used illusion to deceive someone’s eyes. He fell down into a water by mistake. Servants laughed by themselves and on the instructions of the king. Pandava-s – except Yudhishthira – laughed at him, instead of helping him. The unbearable Duryodhana left that place with humiliation. His mind was full of grudge and wrath. He was jealous at the wealth of Pandava-s and the way they showcased their luxurious life there. Evil thoughts were seeded into the mind of Duryodhana.
Duryodhana fall into water
‘O extender of the Kuru lineage! On seeing the happiness of the Parthas, the submission of the kings, the love the worlds had for them, from children onwards, and the supreme splendour of the great-souled Pandavas, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana turned pale. As he travelled, he thought intently about the sabha and the unrivalled prosperity of the intelligent Dharmaraja. Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana was so inattentive, that he did not respond when Subala’s son repeatedly spoke to him. On seeing him so distracted, Shakuni responded, “O Duryodhana! Why are you travelling with all these sighs?”
‘குரு வழியில் வந்தவரே! பார்த்தர்களின் மகிழ்ச்சியையும், அரசர்களின் பணிவையும், குழந்தைகள் முதல் அனைத்து மன்னர்களும் அவர்கள் மீது கொண்டிருந்த அன்பையும், பேரான்மா கொண்ட பாண்டவர்களின் உன்னதப் புகழையும் கண்டு, திருதராஷ்டிரனின் மகன் துரியோதனன் வாடிப் போனான். அவன் செல்லும்போது செய்யும் போது, அந்த சபையைப் பற்றியும், அறிவார்ந்த அரசன் தருமனின் நிகரற்ற செழிப்பைப் பற்றியும் ஆழ்ந்து சிந்தித்தான். திருதராஷ்டிரனின் மகன் துரியோதனன் மிகவும் கவனக்குறைவாக இருந்தான், சுபலரின்வின் மகன் அவனிடம் பலமுறை பேசியும் அவன் பதிலளிக்கவில்லை. அவன் மிகவும் கவனம் வேறு பக்கம் இருப்பதைப் பார்த்த சகுனி, “ஓ துரியோதனா! ஏன் இத்தனை பெருமூச்சுகளுடன் நினைவுகளில் நீந்துகிறாய்?”
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Arjuna won Draupadi in Swayamvara. Pandava-s were on the way back to the house, where they took refuge. Meanwhile Kunti was afraid as her sons did not turn back till the evening. When they reached their home, Kunti did not pay attention to them. Arjuna – with much excitement – asked Kunti to look at what he had won. Kunti did not turn back. Unware of anything, she asked him to share it with her brothers. They were shocked. Kunti realized her mistake later. But she is firm in what she told earlier.
Draupadi and Pandava-s
Then those maharathas, bringers of fame to the Kuru lineage, sons of a king among men, took the hand of that supreme among women, in succession, one day after another.
பிறகு, குரு பரம்பரைக்கு புகழைக் கொண்டு வந்த மஹாரதர்கள், ஆண்களில் ஒரு மன்னனின் மகன்கள், பெண்கள் மத்தியில் அந்த உன்னதமானவரின் கையை, அடுத்தடுத்து, ஒரு நாள் பின் ஒருவராகப் பிடித்தனர்.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Draupadi and Pandava-s
Draupadi’s situation being is being bolstered in many ways. Somebody say, Kunti did not want take back her words as per Dharma. Someone day, it is Draupadi accepted because of her wish to be an empress even if a single Pandava was alive. Someone else justify like Kunti wanted to be this way, to avoid jealous among her sons, which may lead to the family dispute. Whatever it is, it is a a polyandry. This intriguing marriage attracts the writers for several years.
When those immensely radiant ones looked at Draupadi, their love for her arose and put their senses into turmoil. Panchali’s charming form was created by the creator himself. It beguiled all living beings and was supreme to all others. Kunti’s son Yudhishthira knew from their appearance what was going through their minds. O bull among men! He remembered Dvaipayana’s words. Fearing that conflict might arise between the brothers, the king said, “This fortunate Draupadi will be a wife to all of us.
அந்த மிஞ்சிய ஒளி கொண்டவர்கள் திரௌபதியைப் பார்த்தபோது, அவளின் மீது காதல் எழுந்து, அவர்களின் புலன்களைக் கொந்தளிக்க வைத்தது. பாஞ்சாலியின் எழிலான வடிவம் படைப்பாளியால் உருவாக்கப்பட்டது. அது எல்லா உயிர்களையும் வஞ்சித்து மற்ற எல்லாவற்றுக்கும் மேலாக உயர்ந்தது. குந்தியின் மகன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் அவர்களின் தோற்றத்தில் இருந்து அவர்கள் மனதில் என்ன நடக்கிறது என்பதை அறிந்தான். மனிதர்களில் காளையே! துவைபாயனரின் வார்த்தைகள் அவனுக்கு நினைவுக்கு வந்தது. சகோதரர்களுக்கிடையே மோதல் ஏற்படக்கூடும் என்று அஞ்சிய அந்த அரசன், “இந்த அதிர்ஷ்டசாலி திரௌபதி நம் அனைவருக்கும் மனைவியாக இருப்பாள்.” என்றான்.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya – The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
The disguised Pandava-s lived in many places and forests. Bhima found a wife, Hidimbi in forests. Sage Daumya advised them to proceed to Panchala. Swayamvara of Panchala princess Draupadi was scheduled to happen. Invitations had been sent to many kings across the Bharata khanda. Pandava-s disguised themselves as Brahman-s (priests) and entered the Swayamvara hall.
There was a competition. Drupada formed a finely architected machine, which was rotating in the top, in which a golden fish was rotating by itself. Under this machine there was a cauldron filled with oil. The archers were challenged to shoot at the eye of the fish by looking at the oil in the cauldron below. It was complex. It was supposed to be broken by the best archers of the world. Many lost the game.
Picture credit: bhaskar.com
Duryodhana did not participate as he promised not to take any other wives other than Bhanumati. As everyone believed that Pandava-s were no more, Karna joined the competition. He could do it flawlessly. But Draupadi rejected him by pointing at his birth in low caste.
As all the kings failed, Drupada asked Brahman-s to join the competition. Arjuna came forward, he solved the puzzle with focus. He strung the bow and shoot the eye of the fish correctly. Drupada was happy. People were also happy. But kshatriyas were not. They objected a brahman to overtake them. There was a brief melee between Pandava-s and some of the kings like Karna and Shalya. Finally Krishna need to step-in to solve the conflict.
Arjuna-at-Draupadi-Arjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvar Folk art Painting Fabric Art Prints. Picture Credit: MPRO-TECHArjuna at Draupadi’s Swayamvara. Kalamkari Painting on Cotton – Artist – M. Viswanath Reddy (Andhra Pradesh)
Who can fight with Radheya Karna in battle except Rama, Drona, Sharadvata Kripa?! Devaki’s son Krishna and Phalguni, the scorcher of enemies? Who can fight against Duryodhana and who can vanquish in battle the powerful Shalya, king of Madra and chief among warriors, except the brave Baladeva and Pandava Vrikodara? Therefore, let us desist from this fight against the Brahmanas. Let us find out who they are and then we will happily fight with them again.” ….. “This lady has been won according to dharma.”
ராதேய கர்ணனுடன் ராமர், துரோணர், சரத்வாத கிருபரைத் தவிர வேறு யாரால் போரிட முடியும்?! … துரியோதனனை எதிர்த்து யார் போரிட முடியும், வலிமைமிக்க பலராமரையும், பாண்டவ விருகோதரனையும் தவிர? மத்ராவின் அரசனும், போர்வீரர்களில் தலைவனுமான சல்யனை யார் போரில் வீழ்த்த முடியும்? எனவே, பிராமணர்களுக்கு எதிரான இந்தப் போராட்டத்தை கைவிடுவோம். அவர்கள் யார் என்று கண்டுபிடித்துவிட்டு மீண்டும் அவர்களுடன் மகிழ்ச்சியாக சண்டையிடுவோம். ….. “இந்தப் பெண் தர்மத்தின்படி வெல்லப்பெற்றாள்.”
Krishna to the assembled kings, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Drona did not forget or forgive Drupada for humiliating him in his court. He asked Drupada’s kingdom as the tuition fee from Kuru princes.
Kuru princes fought with Drupada and captivated him. Drupada lost his kingdom. It was given as a gift to Drona by Kuru princes. Drona kept half of it and made his son Ashwatthama as a king for it. He returned the remaining half to Drupada. Drona asked Drupada if they can be friends as both are equal then. Drupada agreed.
Drona avenged and humiliated Drupada – Picture (c) Quora
But Drupada did not digest the humiliation caused by Drona and Kuru princess. He performed great yagna from which a boy, Dhrishtadyumna and a girl, Draupadi were born.
A Mughal painting by Bilal Habsi depicting the birth of Dhrishtadyumna. A folio of Razmnama, the Persian translation of the epic
‘Then a youth who resembled a god arose from the flames. His complexion was like the fire and his form was terrible. He wore a crown on his head and his body was encased in excellent armour. He had a sword in his hand and a bow and arrows and he let out many loud roars. As soon as he was born, he ascended a supreme chariot and went forth. All the Panchalas were delighted and exclaimed, “Blessed!” From the sky issued the voice of an invisible and great being. “This terrible prince has been born for Drona’s destruction. He will increase the fame of the Panchalas and remove the king’s grief.”
“அப்போது கடவுளைப் போன்ற ஒரு இளைஞன் நெருப்பிலிருந்து எழுந்தான். அவனது நிறம் நெருப்பு போன்றது மற்றும் அவரது வடிவம் அஞ்சத்தக்கது. அவன் தலையில் மணிமுடி அணிந்திருந்தான் மற்றும் அவனது உடல் சிறந்த கவசத்தால் மூடப்பட்டிருந்தது. அவன் கையில் வாளும், வில் அம்பும் ஏந்தியபடி பல உரத்த கர்ஜனைகளை எழுப்பினான். அவர் பிறந்தவுடனேயே உயர்ந்த தேரில் ஏறிச் சென்றான். பாஞ்சாலர்கள் அனைவரும் மகிழ்ச்சியடைந்தனர், “ஆசி அளித்தேன்!” வானத்திலிருந்து கண்ணுக்குத் தெரியாத மற்றும் பேரண்டத்தின் குரல் ஒலித்தது. “துரோணரின் அழிவுக்காக இந்தப் அஞ்சத்தக்க இளவரசன் பிறந்திருக்கிறான். பாஞ்சாலர்களின் புகழைப் பெருக்கி மன்னனின் துக்கத்தை நீக்குவான்.”
-Brahmans describing the birth of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Draupadi born
Supreme among women, this beauty of the dark complexion will bring about the destruction of the Kshatriyas. In time, this one will perform the objective of the gods. From her will arise terrible fear among the Kshatriyas.
பெண்களில் உன்னதமான, கருமையான நிறத்தின் இந்த அழகு காலப்போக்கில் க்ஷத்திரியர்களின் அழிவைக் கொண்டுவரும். அவள் தெய்வங்களின் நோக்கத்தை நிறைவேற்றுவாள். அவளைப் பற்றி க்ஷத்திரியர்களிடையே பெரும் அச்சம் எழும்.
-Brahmans describing the birth of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Draupadi born
Different tales portrays the connection between Drupada and Shikhandi in different ways. Some says, Shikhandini was Drupada’s first child, who changed her sex into male later. Some says that Shikhandi was born as man who was actually woman. most of the stories accepts that Amba reborn as Shikhandi and he is an a third-gender.
The feud between Pandava-s and Kaurava-s reached a stage where both will not gel any longer. Duryodhana did his best to justify his right over the throne. Vidura justified the right of Yudhishthira on the same. To stop any further escalation, Dhritarashtra suggested building a dedicated palace for Kunti and her sons.
He discussed this with Vidura. He agreed as well. The palace is built at Varanavata, which is far away from Hastinapur. It was near to forest and river Ganga. But the palace was made of lacquer, which is an inflammable material. Vidura understood the conspiracy behind the kind gestures of Kaurava-s.
O scorcher of enemies! From the smell of fat and ghee mixed with lac, it is clear that this house is made of inflammable materials. The evil Purochana has used trusted and well-skilled artisans to build a house with straw, bark and cane, sprinkled all over with ghee. After winning my confidence, he wishes to burn me to death. O Partha! This is the danger that the immensely intelligent Vidura foresaw and warned me about earlier.
எதிரிகளை எரிப்பவர்களே! கொழுப்பும், நெய்யும் கலந்த அரக்கு வாசனையிலிருந்து, இந்த வீடு தீப்பற்றக்கூடிய பொருட்களால் ஆனது என்பது தெளிவாகிறது. பொல்லாத புரோச்சனன், நம்பகமான மற்றும் திறமையான கைவினைஞர்களைப் பயன்படுத்தி வைக்கோல், பட்டை மற்றும் கரும்பு ஆகியவற்றைக் கொண்டு, நெய்யைத் தெளித்து ஒரு வீட்டைக் கட்டியிருக்கிறான். என் நம்பிக்கையைப் பெற்ற பிறகு, அவன் என்னை எரித்து கொல்ல விரும்புகிறான். ஓ பார்த்தனே! வெகு அறிவாளியான விதுரர் முன்னரே முன்னறிவித்து எச்சரித்த ஆபத்து இது.
–Yudhishthira to Bhima, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Vidura warned Kunti about this. He asked them to escape through a tunnel, which connects the house of Lac to the nearby forest. It was built by Vidura to save Pandava-s. Kunti accepted the gift from Dhritarashtra as planned. As expected, the palace was burst into fire as soon as Kunti moved in with Pandava-s.
Lakshagriha
The tunnel – built by Vidura – saved Pandava-s. As per Vidura’s plan, five men and one woman were thrown inside the fire (Does dharma accept it?!).
LakshagrahaEscape of Pandava-s from Fire accident(c) The Illustrated Mahabharata – https://blog.abhinavagarwal.net
Hastinapur mourned the death of Kunti and Pandava-s. Kaurava-s relieved from their worries, unaware of the survival of their cousins.
There was a flash of a huge stream of water coming inside a pot hole in the bank of the Ganges. A young Naga, Loban – who was sleeping inside it – awoke in such sudden current of flashing water. ‘Why is the water so fast? Is it the good olden banyan tree with tentacles that fell into the river?’. It had been a few months since Loban was born. He had great pleasure in hunting for tadpoles. Only then did he enter into the worldly life of searching for food and sleeping after food!
He came out of the pool and turned his head to look at both sides. ‘That’s it. This is not wood. Something like a big serpent.’ He bent his body left and right to swim towards it. Not one. Is there a great pair of Naga-s? Not at all. They are human hands. He is human; he may be a monster’.
The monster-like human, who fell into the water, was drowning very fast. Through the opening of his mouth, which was slightly open, air bubbles split his lips and drained his life out bit by bit.
“O Loban! Vrikodara is his name. You don’t have time, my dear little Naga! Inform Aryaka immediately. It is not the right age to take his last breath. He should live.” the Ganges ordered Loban. “At your behest, my holy mother!” Loban bowed his head. He swiftly swam into the darkness of the depths of the Ganges.
***
Vrikodara was lying like a crushed fruit. He slowly opened his eyes. His chest and stomach were burning. Thanks to the poisoned sweets, the taste of the desired dessert was still left in his throat. He started to cough continuously and tried to clear his throat. Finally, he was able to sit upright with tears in his eyes.
“Do not be afraid anymore. You are fine. ” Bhima looked at him. “I am the commander of the Naga-s. My name is Aryaka” he told Bhima. His unblinking and gem like eyes surprised Bhima. It was a vast underworld space filled with the roar of waves. The sand bed sediment of alluvium and clay had accumulated under his feet. “O! the one—with strong hands like a root of the thick wood—you have come to Naga’s kingdom. You have been poisoned. Your hands and feet bound by creepers and vines, you were pushed into the Ganges. Mother Ganga – who graces us – is kind enough to bring you here. ” Aryaka’s voice mixed with the ground water and sounded like a voice from the sky. “Yes.. that’s I.. me.. Mother Ganga told me only..” Loban groaned in a bored and low hissing voice. “Nothing to be concerned about. No poison can transcend us, except for the vengeance that is ingrained in the soul of man! ” Aryaka smiled.
Child bhima fight with Naga-s. Image (c) Unknown
“O the naga with the graceful eyes! My life belongs to my brother, Yudhishthira. My life was about to be sacrificed in the fire of jealousy. You guarded me. Please accept my thanks. ” Bhimasena clasped his hands and bowed his head. “The hostile enmity that is accumulated in someone’s mind is powerful. It made my cousin feed me poison without consideration. It made him tie my limbs and push me into the river. O naga!—the one who carries rare medicines—though you are a stranger, you not only saved me but also helped me regain the responsibility of protecting Pandava-s from the fore-coming violation of morality. We, the Pandava-s, will be grateful. “
“Kaundeya Bhima! Whom do you call a stranger? ” In an echoing voice, the great serpent – the one with shiny scales on a plump charcoal body, with burning red eyes and sword-like poisonous fangs that gleamed in the light, as well as its brick red tongue dripping out – which flowed into the room to join their conversation.
Bhima poisoned Duryodana. Image (c) Unknown
“Hail the Naga emperor!” Aryaka turned his head and bowed. Aryaka told Bhima, “Vasuki is the king of serpents. You are his guest” . “I – the son of emperor Pandu, the second of the Pandava-s – Bhimasena, I adore and worship the great leader of the Naga-s” Bhima greeted Vasuki. Bhima told the emperor, “I have become forever bound to your mercy, my lord.”
“Kaunteya, I knew that you were pushed into the water. I realized who you are. Your mother is a descendant of Emperor Yadu. Yadu’s wife, Thumravarna, is a Nagini from our clan. Oh the one with the hot blood that swells in your veins! your blood contains Naga’s blood too, my dear son. I am your great grandfather. My clan continued to grow and branch so much to yield you. I am happy. My mind is full of love and affection for you. Come and touch my feet. May I have the pleasure of blessing you, my child! ” Bhima respected Vasuki’s kind words. Bhima is the one with an ever loving childish mind, though he is a nightmare for his cousins. “Bless me, my great father. I was glad to see you. ” the child Bhima bowed at Vasuki’s feet. “God bless you. Let victory and fame be with you always. ” Vasuki blessed him by touching his head and stretched his hand to Loban.
Bhima poisoned Duryodana. Image (c) Unknown
Vasuki received a vase from Loban and gave it to Bhima. “Your visit immerses the city of Bogawati in cheer. You need to stay here as our guest for some time as well, my son. The period ahead is not easy. The seed of the catastrophe has sprouted. Dharma should be guaranteed to win. Let your shoulder have the strength to allow the right Dharma to triumph. I am sure that my clan will thrive. I want to offer you a gift. Here is Nagamirtha (nectar) in this vessel. It is a sweet-smelling drink, but bitter in taste. After you consume it, no poison will harm you in your lifetime. You will get the strength of thousands of elephant, in addition. O the one with the wide chest! This is essential for the path you are going to take. “, said Vasuki.
Bhima is the one who was bitten away by the serpents; he is the one who was fed poisoned sweets. Who else can better realize the importance of nectar than him? Without thinking of anything, Bhima bought it and drank it in one gulp. The Nagamirtha, which went into his food pipe like a stinging liquid, turned violent and made his blood inside his veins turbulent. The chest and stomach burning, caused by the poisoned food, disappeared.
“Thank you for the grace of my forefather, who rescued me from the pain of poison. Your role will be in my success forever. My mother and my brothers will regret not seeing me. I need your permission and blessing to return. ” Bhima requested Vasuki.
Vasuki thought for a moment. After meditating for a while, he said, “All watery elements are different forms of mother Ganga. Vrikodara! She can take the form of milk, aushadhi (tincture), or poison. If it feeds, it is milk. When it saves, it is an aushadhi. When it destroys, however, it is poison. Oh, son of a broad minded mother! May you always be the milk that protects virtue and dharma. Good bye ” He touched Bhima’s head once again and blessed him. Loban stared at Bhima with his unblinking eyes
I was angry with my friend; I told my wrath, my wrath did end. I was angry with my foe: I told it not, my wrath did grow.
-A Poison Tree, William Blake
This is an inspiration from epic Mahabharata. This blog post is a part of Blogchatter’s WRITE A PAGE A DAY campaign.
Kaurava-s and Pandava-s were grown up in Hastinapur. They attained the age to start proper education and martial arts to increase their endurance.
Kripacharya
Kripa was grown up in Hastinapur. He was found by Shantanu from forest along with her sister Kripi. He became the first teacher for kuru princes.
Dronacharya, tutor with a revenge
Drona was the son of sage Bharatvaja. Drupada – the king of Panchala – was his classmate in gurukul erstwhile. Drona married Kripi. Both had a lovable son named Ashwatthama. They were in stark poverty. He could not even buy cow’s milk for his son. He met King Drupada to ask for a cow. He used his gurukul friendship as a valid justification for his obligation. But Drupada handled him as a King. He refused to give it in the name of friendship. He asked Drona to beg for donation. Humiliated Drona was full of wrath. He vowed to become as popular as Drupada.
Drona at Drupada’s court, Amar Chitra Katha
O Brahmana! Your wisdom is lacking and inferior, if you suddenly begin to address me as your friend. O one with a dull mind! No great king can ever be a friend with men like you. You have no prosperity, nor do you have riches. Time decays everything, including friendship.
பிராமணனே! திடீரென்று என்னை உன் நண்பன் என்று சொல்லும் அளவிற்கு உனது அறிவு குறைவாகவும் தாழ்வாகவும் போய்விட்டது. மந்தமான மனம் கொண்டவனே! உன்னைப் போன்ற மனிதர்களுடன் எந்தப் பெரிய அரசனும் நண்பனாக இருக்க முடியாது. உனக்கு செழிப்பு இல்லை, செல்வமும் இல்லை. நட்பு உட்பட அனைத்தையும் காலம் காலாவதி ஆக்குகிறது.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
He left the Panchala palace. He mastered archery from Parashurama at the condition of not helping kshatriya-s using his skillset. After leaving Parashurama-s gurukul, he forget about the promise. He entered into Hastinapur, the abode of Kshatriya-s.
The entry of Drona into Hastinapur is an heroic scene. The kuru princess were playing near a well. Their ball fell down into the well. Drona used reed grass as arrow. He throw the first piece of arrow, which hit the ball. The second one punched the tail part of previous arrow. Thus he made a string of grass, using which he took the ball out of the well. The boys were excited. They told Bhishma about Drona’s skillset.
Drona helps to take the ball out of well
Bhishma and Kripa made Drona as the royal tutor. Drona accepted with one condition. The kuru princes should capture Panchala King Drupada alive. Lending hands come. An aid comes with a condition in Hastinapur’s history. Hastinapur signed in that contract also! Grudges and revenges were not new to this empire. Drona became the tutor!
Arjuna, the obedient
All Kuru princes were trained by Drona and Kripa. But Arjuna excelled in archery. One day he rescued Drona from a crocodile. Drona swore to mold him a great archer who would be extolled by Bharata land.
Indian system expects unquestionable obedience to mata (mother), pita (father), guru (teacher) and deivam (God). Arjuna became the primary disciple of Drona. The acharya thought he deserved an unquestionable crown for him in archery because of his focus and hard work.
Test of Dronacharya
O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Drona heard the twang of his bowstring and came to him and embraced him. He said, “I promise you that I will do my utmost to ensure that you are the best archer in this world and there is no one equal to you.”
பரத பரம்பரையில் வந்தவனே! துரோணர் அவனது வில்லின் சத்தத்தைக் கேட்டு அவனருகே வந்து அவனைத் தழுவினார். அவர் கூறினார், “நீ இந்த உலகில் சிறந்த வில்லாளியாக இருக்க என்னால் முடிந்த அனைத்தையும் செய்வேன் என்று நான் உறுதியளிக்கிறேன். உனக்கு நிகராக யாரும் இல்லை.”
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
Ekalavya, the devoted
Ekalavya’s story was another stain in the tale of Acharya Drona. He was from Nishada tribe. Drona’s fame reached the forests of Nishada. Ekalavya commuted such a long distance and approached Drona to learn archery. Drona – as perceived by Jeyamohan’s Venmurasu, the Tamil version of Mahabharata – felt he would be be against Hastinapur’s wishes one day. He neglected him. He mentioned Ekalavya that if he has faith in Drona, he can teach himself.
Poor Ekalavya took it seriously and learnt Drona’s techniques from distance. Purana-s say, he learnt it with a telepathy kind of technique by keeping avahanam (likeness) of Drona . But I took it practical sense. He might have stalked him.
Ekalavya practice before the likeness of Drona, Wikipedia
They asked him, “Who are you and whose son are you?” Ekalavya replied, “Know me to be the son of Hiranyadhanu, the king of the nishadas. I am Drona’s student and I am trying to become skilled in Dhanur Veda.”
அவர்கள் அவனிடம், “நீ யார், யாருடைய மகன்?” என்று கேட்டார்கள். அதற்கு ஏகலவ்யன், “என்னை நிஷாத மன்னன் ஹிரண்யதனுசின் மகன் என்று அறிந்து கொள். நான் துரோணரின் மாணவன், தனுர் வேதத்தில் தேர்ச்சி பெற முயற்சிக்கிறேன்.” என்று பதிலளித்தான்.
Vaisampayana to Janamejaya, The Mahabharata Set Of 10 Volumes
One fine day Drona learned about the skill of Ekalavya. Arjuna jealously appealed to him for making Ekalavya as a great Archer, which was against his promise.
Drona met Ekalavya and asked about his teacher. Ekalavya pointed at Drona himself and explained the way he learnt. Drona does not want a competition of his loveable shishya, Arjuna. He asked for guru-dakshina (payment). It is a custom in Indian gurukul (schooling). Ekalavya agreed to give him whatever he asked. Drona asked for his thumb finger of his right hand. Undoubtedly Drona conspired here. Ekalavya did not utter a word. He cut his finger immediately and paid his guru-dakshina,
Ekalavya’s Guru dakshina, Wikipedia
Drona’s decision was not only political but also caste-based. He strongly felt that nishada-s tribal is not well qualified to learn archery. But the punishment given by Drona made Arjuna to feel relaxed at the same time it was too brutal for him.
