Shakti And Bhakti Of Draupadi

PREM KUMARI SRIVASTAVA presents an inspiring portrait of Draupadi, wife of the five Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata.The character of Draupadi dwarfs all others in Ved Vyasa’s Mahabharata. Also known as Krishnaa , the dark-skinned one, Yajnaseni, born from the sacrificial fire, and Paanchali the princess of the Panchal kingdom, Draupadi was born of fire with her brother, Dhrishtadyumna, when her father, King Drupad, performed a yagna to to wreak revenge on Drona to whom he had lost half his kingdom. Goddess Kali reportedly gave to Draypadi part of her powers to deal with the Kauravas. King Drupad set up her Swayamwara and asked suitors to string a bow and shoot five arrows at a target rotating above their heads while viewing it in an oil-filled plate that reflected the target. When Arjuna won Draupadi's hand, he had to ‘share’ her with his four brothers as their mother Kunti, asked him to share the ‘prize’ he won at the contest with his brothers. Little did she know that the ‘prize’ was in fact the new bride, Draupadi. But true to her wish, Draupadi got betrothed to all five brothers.‘The concept of Karma’ is intrinsically related to this story and its related thread, the life of Nalayani. Draupadi is an incarnate of Nalayani who was married to a sage. After his death she wished for a husband five times to replace him. When Nalayani was reborn as Draupadi, her wish was granted.Bhakti of DraupadiDraupadi was full of devotion and she experienced God’s divine presence constantly in her life. She had utmost faith in Krishna. Once, while the Pandavas were in exile, Durvasa Muni, who was known for his quick anger, suddenly decided to drop in along with many of his disciples. How would she feed them? A distraught Draupadi invoked Krishna for she feared the consequences of Durvasa’s anger if she did not offer them food. When Krishna appeared, Draupadi took the last grain of rice in the pot and asked Krishna to eat one half of the grain and leave the other half for the whole world. When Durvasa and his disciples arrived, they were feeling so full that they declined any food; they left peacefully. Krishna considered Draupadi his sakhi (friend) and sister. When Krishna cut his finger on his Sudarshan Chakra, Draupadi immediately tore off a piece of her sari and bandaged his cut. Krishna said that with this loving act, she has wrapped him in debt and he would repay each “thread” when the time came. Indeed, when Draupadi needed Krishna’s protection and fervently prayed for his help, when she was being teased in Duryodana;s court, Krishna came to her rescue and the Kaurava found it impossible to disrobe her. Krishna had made her sari infinite so much so that reams and reams of cloth kept falling around her yet she was fully clothed. Perhaps the festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in this context.Draupadi is sometimes criticized for being too self-centered in terms of her desire for revenge. However, a closer look at her actions show that she encouraged the war because she knew that the Kauravas would to be defeated and Dharma would be restored. Her intention was not personal vendetta against the Kauravas. After the war, when Ashwatthama sneaked in and killed Draupadi’s five sons in their sleep, Draupadi did not allow the Pandavas to kill Ashwatthama. She argued that killing Ashwatthama would not be for any greater cause but for personal revenge. Draupadi also demonstrated her selflessness after the dice game. Ready to curse all who silently watched her humiliation in court, Draupadi exercised self-control at the behest of Queen Gandhari. At this point King Dhritirashtra, fearful of Draupadi’s power to curse him, finally offered her as many wishes as she wanted. Draupadi asked only for her husbands’ freedom and for their weapons!Draupadi’s determination, fearlessness, and strength of character, makes her a natural ideal for youth. Her tenacious fight for Dharma did not diminish even after thirteen years of suffering in exile. She went through innumerable hardships and unimaginable sufferings, but her inner strength, unshakeable faith in God, and resolute character gave her the power to overcome them. Draupadi’s spirit and virtuous nature will always be a source of inspiration to all.