Destiny’s games are stranger than
most games invented by man
and Draupadi’s swayamvara is for sure
amongst the strangest tales ever told
A truly blazing beauty is she,
a princess like no other
a rare fiery spirit has she
This daughter of Agni
The drums announce the happy news
today she shall choose
from amongst this gathering of kings
the one who she shall espouse
a prophecy has already foretold
that she is to be Arjuna’s bride
the swayamvara is but a test to tempt
that expert archer out from where he hides
every king from every land
is here to attempt
to win her hand
but no sign of the one she wants
but the contest has been announced
and hence must be begun
a test truly fit to try
the Gods themselves
on the ceiling
a revolving platform
on the platform
a jewel studded fish
on the floor a vat of oil
lying beside a great bow and shafts
the fish is mirrored
in the oil
the the target lies
in the fish’s ruby red eye
but a challenge fit for kings
cannot be so trouble-free!
The eye, itself, must not be looked upon
its reflection in the oil is the map to strike
not an easy feat to accomplish
only the best dare try this
for the failures
there is ridicule and humiliation
for the winner
this beautiful handmaiden
every eye that sees
looks on amazed
at her -a rare jewel
with some secret fire set ablaze
her eyes hot embers
her hair wisps of flame
Krishnaa-the dark skinned
like the fiery coal that is by ashes hid
in every heart she rouses
an uncontrollable passion
stunned, they stand as statues
incapable of any action
the desire to win her
is a great motivator
and while all try
none seems worthy
every king that rises
falls unable to bear
the weight of the bow
let alone string and employ it!
then rises Karna
truly a great archer
surely he will win her
says everyone in their mind
but before he even touches
the bow he is stopped
by the beautiful Draupadi
he is humiliated
“who is this false king
who dares to assume that
the high-born Draupadi will condescend
to marry a low-born sutaputra?”
silenced and insulted
Karna resumes his seat
but a desire for retribution
is in his mind-a tiny seed
the one who rises next
is clothed as a Brahmin
but his proud gait and muscled arms
are that of a Kshatriya
respectfully he picks up the bow
strings it with love
with arms upraised and face turned below
he launches the arrow
it strikes the eye
which falls to the ground
the Brahmin has won!
he is garlanded by Draupadi
their eyes meet
in silent acceptance of
their magnetic attraction
a scorching passion
a stunned silence in the hall
and then hell breaks loose
kings rant and princes protest
how can a princess marry a priest
they rise together
up in arms
and are routed
by the Brahmin and his brothers
with the Brahmins Draupadi goes
to their hut-a humble abode
with folded hands they stand outside
as the eldest calls, “Look mother, see what we’ve got!”
a gentle voice replies from within
“whatever be it, share it
amongst yourselves,
it equally belongs to all of you”
“Mother, what have you said
what a dilemma we are in
you-we have never disobeyed
and yet to obey would be a sin!”
The mother comes out and is aghast
at what she has done
her order once given cannot be revoked
by convention
in the midst of all this
turmoil and confusion
Krishna arrives
with his beatific smile
“Dear aunt, I am your brother’s son
your troubled brow betrays
some confusion
can this child offer you some consolation?”
“God bless you my child
I’ve heard your praise
You are wise, so advise
how this quandary can be resolved
with hasty words
i have told my sons
to share this woman
and doomed her to a life of debauchery”
“Do not worry aunt
this isn’t a problem at all
this woman in her past life
has gained a boon of five husbands
the boon was given
by Mahadeva himself
and besides a mother’s order
is always supreme
let all five of your sons
wed Draupadi
in the karmic logic
it isn’t an iniquity
Dear Draupadi listen
these men are none other
than the valourous Pandava brothers
your hand was won by Arjuna
it is your destiny
to be the spouse of all of them
and do not worry
worldly laws are not here applicable”
Hearing this was
a stealthy listener-
Draupadi’s brother
now both overjoyed and dismayed
in confusion
he approaches his father
and apprises him
of the matter
both father and son are
unsure whether to rejoice
that the Pandavas are alive
or curse their loved one’s predicament
plagued by mixed emotions
they are restless
then Vyaasa comes
to their relief
the kind sage shares his wisdom
that the marriage is inevitable
part of the Grand Plan
mortal laws must not interfere
a woman having
more than one man as spouse
isn’t always an immorality
they may fearlessly proceed
and so it is
that the marriage was celebrated
Draupadi became the
accidental polyandrist!
-Vijayalakshmi Harish
23.09.2012
Copyright © Vijayalakshmi Harish
Swayamvara: literally “self-marriage”. An ancient custom in which princesses chose their husband, usually through some contest.
Agni: The God of fire. Draupadi is said to have been “gifted” to King Drupada by the God of Fire. Drupada had performed a sacrifice to Agni for a son, who would defeat Drona and a daughter, fit to be the wife of Arjuna.
Sutaputra: Son of a Charioteer.
Kshatriyas: Caste of kings and warriors.
Brahmin : The priestly class
Here I must put in a disclaimer saying that I am not a believer in the caste system, and see all people as equal! The insult against Karna is a part of the story, not my invention!
Though the title says “accidental polyandrist”, Draupadi’s polyandry might not have been all that accidental. The legend goes that in her previous birth she had asked Lord Shiva to give her a husband who was kind and an upholder of Dharma, strong, brave and courageous, handsome and intelligent. Lord Shiva said that all these qualities can never be found together in a single man, and hence he would give her five!
This incident from the Mahabharata has been a pet peeve for feminists. The incident has been viewed as reeking of male chauvinism and subjugation of women.
I have always wondered about the silence of Draupadi here. Her character, as I understand her, is that of an assertive woman-one who would not have allowed such a thing to happen to her! In many occasions in the Mahabharata, she speaks without reserve when she sees injustice meted out. Even during her swayamvara, she was quick to chide Karna, who she presumed was unworthy of her. In such a scenario can her silence be construed as acceptance?
Others say of course that her protests were edited out. That she must have spoken against this, but she was silenced.
But why silence her only here? Why not on other occasions where she challenges “masculine” pride and chauvinism?
So many questions..no real answer! Would love if you'll could share your views.
Special thanks to Ammukutty who graciously proof-read this and made some suggestions which were taken with many thanks!
