Thirukolur Penpillai Rahasyam-55

 இரு கையும் விட்டேனோ த்ரௌபதியைப் போலே
இந்திரபிரஸ்தம் உருவாக்கப்பட்டு, யுதிஷ்டிரன் மன்னனாக முடிசூட்டப்பட்டான். விழாவில் கலந்துகொண்ட துரியோதனன், அரண்மனையை சுற்றிப் பார்க்கும் போது நீரில் விழுந்து விட, அதைக் கண்ட த்ரௌபதி நகைக்க, துரியோதனனின் கோபத்திற்கு வழி வகுத்தது.

சகுனியின் துணை கொண்டு, திட்டம் தீட்டி, பாண்டவர்களையும் த்ரௌபதியையும் அஸ்தினாபுரம் வரவழைத்தான் துரியோதனன். சகுனியுடன் யுதிஷ்டிரன் சூதாடினான். நாட்டை இழந்தான். அரண்மனையை இழந்தான். செல்வங்களை இழந்தான். தன் தம்பிகளை இழந்தான். தன்னை இழந்தான். இறுதியில், “திரௌபதி அதிர்ஷ்டம் மிக்கவள். அவளைப் பணயம் வைத்து விளையாடு. இழந்தது அனைத்தையும் திருப்பித் தருகிறேன்.” என்று சவால் விட்டான் துரியோதனன். சகுனியின் சூழ்ச்சியின் தொடர் வெற்றிகளின் விளைவாக த்ரௌபதியையும் இழந்தான்.

பாஞ்சால தேசத்து இளவரசி, இந்திரபிரஸ்தம் தேசத்து மகாராணி...பாஞ்சாலி, நொடியில் பணிப்பெண் ஆனாள். துரியோதனன் ஆணையை நிறைவேற்ற, துச்சாதனன் திரௌபதியின் சிகையைப் பிடித்து சபைக்கு இழுத்து வந்தான். சான்றோர்கள் நிறைந்த சபையில் தர்மம் தலைகுனிந்து நிற்க, அனைவரின் முன்னிலையில் துச்சாதனன் துகிலுரிக்க முன் வந்தான்.

தந்தைக்கு நிகரான தந்தையின் நண்பன் துரோணர் உதவிக்கு வரவில்லை. தர்மத்தின் திருஉருவம் பீஷ்மர் உதவிக்கு வரவில்லை. மன்னன் என மகுடம் சூடி அமர்ந்திருக்கும் மன்னனும் வரவில்லை. மற்றவர்களைப் போல், ஏதும் செய்யாது, பேசாது அமர்ந்திருக்கும் பாண்டவர்கள் கூட உதவவில்லை. வாதங்கள் வீணாய்ப்போக, உறவையும், மனிதனையும் நம்பி நின்றால் தான் காப்பாற்றப்பட போவதில்லை என்பதை உணர்ந்து, தன் பலத்தை, தன் துணிச்சலை விடுத்து, “கோவிந்தா” என்று குரல் கொடுத்து, தலை மீது இருகரம் கூப்பி வேண்டினாள்.

அழைத்ததும் வந்தான். அவள் மானத்தைக் காத்தான். மானத்தை உயிரை விடவும் பெரியதாய் கருதும் திரௌபதி, ஆடவர் நிறைந்திருக்கும் சபையில், அனைவரின் முன்னிலையில், துகிலுரியப்படும் நேரத்தில், தன் துகில் விட்டு இரு கை கூப்பி நின்று “கோவிந்தா” என்று கூவினால் என்றால், கண்ணனின் மீது அவள் கொண்டுள்ள நம்பிக்கையை என்ன வென்று கூறுவது? நுனிப்புல் அளவு கூட அவநம்பிக்கையோ ஐய்யமோ இல்லாது வேண்டி நின்றாளே!!

திருக்கோளூர் அம்மாள், “திரௌபதி போல் நான் நம்பிக்கை கொண்டிருந்தேனா?” – என்று வினவுகிறார்.

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iru kaiyum vittEnO dhraupadhiyaip pOlE

          

In the great Indian Epic, Mahabharata, after Yudhistra was crowned as the King of Indraprastha, Duryodhana, who was insulted during the ceremony fumed with anger. Duryodhana and his brothers, as per the advice of their uncle Sakuni, desired to seek revenge and designed an evil plan for it! The Kauravas built a new hall in their palace and invited the Pandavas to Hastinapur to see the hall and also for a pleasure game arranged in the evening. In the game of dice, they tricked and defeated the Pandavas through unfair means of Sakuni’s tricks and took over their kingdom, their wealth and even themselves. Finally, they made Yudishtra pledge Draupathi in the game and won her as well.

To seek revenge on Draupathi who laughed at him in Indraprastha, Duryodhana made Duschadhana drag her to the court by holding her hair. With the Pandavas being a slave to Duryodhana, Draupathi who too was now titled as slave, was insulted in the court and they had their revenge. Unable to bear the support Draupathi was getting from Pithamaha Bhishma and Vidhura, resented Duryodhana asked Duschadhana to disrobe her in the court.

When Draupathi cried out for help, none came for her aid, including Pithamaha Bheeshma, her father-like Drona who is also a friend of Draupathi’s father, the King and even her husbands-the Pandavas.  Realizing that she can neither depend on her own self nor on her husbands and the great people around her or even on others for her protection, she surrendered herself to the Lord completely. At that time, she remembered the sage Vasishta's words that Narayana is the sole refuge and surrendered to Him with both hands raised over her head:

shanka chakra gadApANe dvArakanilayAchyuta!

govinda! puNDarIkAksha! rakshamAm sharaNAgatam

It is next to impossible for a woman to give up her natural sense of modesty and let go of her dress while she is being disrobed in front of many men. But Draupathi, without even a single finch of doubt, raised her hands above her head and pleaded Krishna for help. Such was her faith in Krishna. At that time, Sri Krishna was battling in the outskirts of Dwaraka. And from there, He gave protection to Draupathi by providing her attire until Duschadhana got exhausted and gave up.

Thirukkolur Ammal is asking "Did I show complete faith in the Lord like Draupathi?"

Pandavas in Hastinapur!

         

Hastinapur!!!

          With the epic Kurukshetra war ending finally, the Pandavas along with Krishna, Draupathi, Subhadra, Uththirai, Satyaki, Yuyutsu, Krpacharya and Kritavarman returned to Hastinapur with a heavy heart. There was no smile of victory. In fact, the smiles were turned as the base for a painful, regretful and contrite memory that’s going to say that this throne is not worth to sit after taking so many lives. Even the Pandavas had their heads lowered signifying that than their surviving, death of the warriors in the war has taught them more about life and dharma. The entire city was filled with cries of women who lost their loved ones. The elderly people cried on the loss of their son. Not knowing why their mom is crying, the kids were sitting in front of their houses with a sad face waiting for their father. Unable to face them, Draupathi and the Pandavas with their head lowered, walked towards the palace in serene silence, with no answers for the questions asked by the kids or the crying wives. Sage Vyasa came to Hastinapur knowing the arrival of the Pandavas. King Drithirashtra, Vidhura, Sanjaya, Gandhari and Kunti were informed about the arrival of the Pandavas to Hastinapur. King Drithirashtra and Queen Gandhari who were weeping on the loss of their sons, did not wish to see or even welcome the ones who were responsible for the death of their sons.

        Vidhura spoke in a soft and concerned voice, “Brother! Listen to me, please. What’s done cannot be undone. It’s must for the King and the Queen of the lost Kingdom to welcome the new King who has won in the battle. The new King has even got rights to arrest or even to punish you both even before he is sworn as the King. So, kindly listen to my words and welcome Yudhistra and his brothers.”

King Drithirashtra who was with full of rage on Bhīma spoke,” Oh! They have rights to punish me! Do you think their killing or punishing me is going to affect me more than what they have done to me? Vidhura, they have killed my hundred sons! Not one or two...but hundred! And my grandsons. It’s all because of them now we are left alone in this world. Even after having hundred sons! How do they expect me to welcome them with a big smile and a happy heart when they have killed all my sons and grandsons? Just because dharma and Krishna is on their side, does it mean that they have the guts to look at a father’s eyes and say to him that they have returned after killing his sons? Is that why I should welcome them? No! I don’t want to even see them. I don’t want to see their faces. But, yes, I will go and welcome them. I have to see Bhīma. The one person I would love to meet will be Bhīma. I will welcome him and hug him when he asks for apology. And will crush him to death while he is within my arms.  I, the King, though I am older, do have the strength of thousands of elephants in my arms. And my heart is full of rage to kill that Bhīma. I will definitely kill that Bhīma for killing my hundred sons. Sorry Kunti, but as a father, I have to kill the person responsible for the death of my sons.” Saying so, King Drithirashtra left the room to avenge Bhīma.

"King Yudhistra, I forgive you!"

Kunti who is supposed to welcome the Pandavas did not go to the palace doors to welcome them as she stayed alongside Gandhari to share her grief. She didn’t even try to warn the Pandavas or Krishna about the plan of King Drithirashtra, understanding their loss and pain. The Pandavas were welcomed by King Drithirashtra, Vidhura and Sanjaya at the Palace entrance. Yudhistra and his four brothers seeks apology from King Drithirashtra for the death of Duryodhana and his brothers. He embraced all of them with a smiling face. Bhīma was hesitant as he felt the burden of killing his hundred brothers while facing King Drithirashtra. When Bhīma stood without words, King Drithirashtra spoke, “Bhīma, where are you? Don’t feel sorry. You have to take care of this old man and his old lady on behalf of the sons I have lost. I know you will do it. So, forget everything and come to me so that I can embrace you with my love for you.”

Listening to King Drithirashtra’s words and looking at his expressions Krishna sensed that the emotions were unalike. He saw Bhīma moving towards King Drithirashtra. He suddenly pushed Bhīma aside and pushed an iron statue that was nearby into King Drithirashtra’s embrace. Filled with grief and raged at the loss of his sons, King Drithirashtra thought that the statue was Bhīma and he started crushing it. His anger and wrath were filled in every single muscle of his arms and as a result of the strength, his arms crushed the iron statue into junk, in matter of seconds.

Everyone stood speechless. King Drithirashtra who thought that he has killed Bhīma felt that the revenge and rage has left his heart. Sensing the silence and the sound of the crush, he felt that Bhīma is dead and he started crying.“Bhīma! Forgive me. Forgive me for what I have done. I should not have killed you, my son. I was blinded on fury and my rage for you. My loss made me kill you. Every day when I listen about the way you have killed my sons; my vengeance towards you was very assertive to kill you. I realize it’s not your fault but mine. I was not an effective king in preventing the war. I was not a good father in stopping my son Duryodhana. Yudhistra, killing Bhīma just because he has killed my sons doesn’t make things right. Punish me. Hang me or even kill me right now, right here. You, as a king and as a brother, have the right to kill me. Punish me. Hang me or behead me.”

King Drithirashtra moaned on his ineffectiveness. Everyone stood silent looking at King Drithirashtra. Krishna came towards King Drithirashtra and placing his hands on King Drithirashtra’s shoulders, he spoke in much concerned voice,”King Drithirashtra! Don’t be so harsh to yourself. What’s happened has happened. Nothing can be done to undone it.”

“No Krishna! I was never a good uncle to the sons of Pandu. I was never a good father to my sons. I was not a good brother to my brother Pandu and Vidhura. I was never a good son to Pithamaha Bhishma. It was all because of me and my greed, this war has happened. I am the one who is responsible for the death of all my sons. Though my heart knew all this, it still had the vengeance on Bhīma. Now the animal in me has killed Bhīma too. I’m the one who is supposed to take care of them after the death of my brother. But greed took me in a different path. I was in over my head. Sanjaya mentioned repeatedly that dharma is on the Pandavas’ side and war against them could not be easily won definitely. I was not able to accept it in my heart. My greed and my love for my son to rule Hastinapur made me blind. I lost not only my eyes but also my vision. It was entirely my fault. All because I was blind in my vision, I killed my own sons. Why was I even born blind? Why? I did take care of my people. I was kind to my people and to my family. Why is it I was born like this to be responsible for the death those who trusted me and those whom I was supposed to take responsibility?”- King Drithirashtra sobbed in Krishna’s arms.

Krishna held King Drithirashtra firmly and consoled him. He spoke in a soft voice, “King Drithirashtra, don’t blame on yourself. It’s all the way of Karma. Things happen based on Karma. In your previous incarnation you were a tyrant king. One day, while you were walking by the lake side, you saw a swan surrounded by hundred cygnets. You ordered to kill the hundred cygnets and also asked to attack the swan right in its eyes. You did this just to have fun. Just for fantasy.  As a result, in this birth you were born blind and all your sons were killed in the war. It’s the way of Karma. And don’t worry about Bhīma. He is safe. You crushed an iron statue and not Bhīma.”

"Bhima...forgive me!"

Relieved on Krishna’s words and realizing the path of Karma, King Drithirashtra thanked Krishna and asked for an apology from Bhīma. He said that he realized what the truth is and that now he has totally forgiven the Pandavas. The sons of Pandu along with Krishna, Sage Vyasa, King Drithirashtra and Vidhura went to see Gandhari and seek her apology.

Gandhari, mother of hundred sons who has lost everyone and also her grandsons in the war was weeping all day from the day the war has started.  On hearing Yudhistra’s voice, recalling her sons, Gandhari started weeping more. She wept thinking of her sons who had a brutal death. She wept thinking of her Grandsons who too died without even living life at its fullest. She wept thinking of her widowed daughter-in-laws whose wailing has been echoing in the palace and in her heart all these days.  Tears rushed out of her eyes making her blindfold soggy. Everyone stood silent understanding her situation and having no idea on how to console a mother who has lost all her sons.

Sage Vyasa broke the sheer silence -“Queen Gandhari, You are aware of the war and the outcomes. You yourself have taught your sons about dharma and also that "victory follows righteousness". This war was fought for righteousness. So accept dharma and karma.”

Gandhari who was weeping all this time consoled herself and stood on her knees and spoke in a firm voice, “I know that the war was fought to sustain Dharma. I accept and forgive the war but the injustice that was done to my sons and to my grandsons… I am not able to forgive those. All those done against my sons are purely unjust. I, as a mother and as a Queen, demand to know the reason on why the rules were not followed, why adharma was followed to sustain dharma? Everyone speak of dharma but have you all ever thought about the soldiers and their family before going against the rules? Those soldiers have no reason to fight and die. This is all for the throne. Between Duryodhana and Yudhistra. But why do those allies, Kings, friends and their army should come and fight for you all? They came trusting on you all but you all killed them by following adharma, in the name of dharma. How glorious they would have looked while they marched out of their city to fight for dharma, leaving their house and beloved family! The entire Kurukshetra is filled with bodies of those people who came in the name of dharma. I demand to know the answers for those lost lives and their families.”

Sage Vyasa and other sages present provided her the reply and about karma. They responded stating that all these are the ways of karma and we can’t question it and should accept it in the heart. Sage Vyasa explained further, “Gandhari, you are wise. You know that this will happen. You know that your sons did not follow the path of dharma. You know the destiny of you sons when they asked for war. For the sake of your country people, would you wish adharma to win or your sons to win? The sons of Pandu too were sinned for gambling with their wife and kingdom. But they were punished in their years of exile. When they entered Kurukshetra, they were sinless. But were your sons sinless? Have they washed away their sin for publicly disrobing a woman? Were they free from their sin of insulting Draupathi and also for being adamant that they will not give the sons of Pandu their share to live peacefully? When Krishna, Sanjaya, Vidhura and wise people like Bhishma and Dronacharya advised them, your sons were adamant like an arrogant kid not ready to share. By then already you knew that victory will not be yours. Grief is not going to reduce your pain. Dwelling on those thoughts will not bring peace to your mind. Enlighten yourself on the path of dharma.”

Sage Vyasa consoling Queen Gandhari

Listening to Sage Vyasa’s words, Gandhari’s fury grew more. She went towards Sage Vyasa and spoke in a resilient voice, “Sage Vyasa, Do you realise that you are talking about your grandchildren? The Kauravas are the sons of King Drithirashtra…your son. Those whom you tag as villains or followers of adharma are your grandchildren. You, being a sage, considering yourself as a follower of dharma, why is it that you did not preach the same to your grandchildren? Detached from worldly pleasure may mean that the happenings will not affect you but that doesn’t mean you don’t have any responsibility. Being a sage, it is fine with you for having no feelings for me or my sons but do have respect for other’s pain for they are not like you. Because they had responsibility and they took it but you failed in it.”

Gandhari paused for a moment and tried to console herself. But unable to control herself she continued, “From where and how is a human tagged as a hero or a villain? Who creates them? What is the scale that you use to measure a man based on his qualities? Yudhistra and his brothers gambled with their wife. Yet, Yudhistra follows the path of dharma. Does that put them under hero or villain? A man is filled with both good and bad within him. It’s what he shows out the most and how people react to it is what makes him a hero or a villain. My sons chose to be the wrong typed person or villains, as you tag them. But to a mother, in a mother’s heart, there is no such scale or tag. To her, no matter what, it’s her son. The pain that a hero’s mother and villain’s mother go through is always the same. The pain that Kunti or Radhaey go through for Karna’s death is same as what I go through now. Do mothers of villains doesn’t have the right to weep? Hero or villain, soldier or robber, terrorist or martyr, to a mother it’s her kid. A mother will always weep for her son, no matter how he is. For, every mother wants her children to be good in heart and not as a villain.”

Gandhari grasped her breath for a moment and continued,“When their sons die, every mother will cry saying that her son was innocent and why is it that he has to leave the earth while she is alive. No one will say that their son deserved death. The war killed both heroes and villains. My sons died because they didn’t follow the path of dharma. But yet, they were my sons. Heroes or villains, they were my sons.”

Krishna and others stood silent allowing Gandhari to express her inner pain and anger. Gandhari continued, “Why is it my sons are considered as villains? Is it because of what they have done to the Pandavas? Why did my sons refused to share the Kingdom with the Pandavas? I know we could have housed the Pandavas too. Hastinapur is vast. The reason my sons refused was all because of greed. But, is it all just their fault? Why is it Pithamaha Bhishma or Dronacharya or Krpacharya did not advise my sons when my sons were following the path of adharma? Why is it they favoured only Kunti’s sons and not my sons? If they have treated my sons and Kunti’s sons equally, then the situation would not have gone this far, right? They hold the responsibility, for my sons to be called as villains. And Karna! He accompanied my Duryodhana everywhere. He was so righteous in everything that he did. He was altruistic who donated everything without saying a “no”. But all those money that he donated came from the kingdom that my son gave to him. Why didn’t he talk about charity or dharma to my son and change him too? As a friend, isn’t it his responsibility to make sure his friend follows the path of dharma? He holds the responsibility too, for my Duryodhana to be called as villain. My sons would have been generous if the people of Hastinapur respected my husband as a King. But my husband was not allowed to be a king even though he was the eldest of all, all because he was blind. My husband is talented and he has ruled Hastinapur all these days as a great ruler. Hastinapur under his ruling was safe and wealthy. Doesn’t that say that my husband is worthy to be a King? Why is it he was refused to be hailed as a King, the rightful ruler even after seeing his brilliancy? Is it all just because the law states that a blind man cannot be permitted to be a ruler? Who made such rules? Our ancestors! Then, they too hold the responsibility for my sons to be tagged as villains. The people of Hastinapur had a happy and protected life under my husband’s reign and under my Duryodhana as Prince. Yet they never considered him as a Prince or his father as a King. The people too hold responsibility.”

Gandhari who was standing strong all this time felt a tremor passing through her nerves. Her knees were weak, unable to hold her. She went down on her knees and wept with a broken heart, “May be, my sons became greedy and villains because of me! Their father was blind and so he couldn’t see them. I, their mother, refused to see them. In order to laze as a noble wife, I blindfolded my eyes without realizing that I have blindfolded my sons too from dharma. I never saw their new born faces. I never saw their birthmarks. I never saw how beautiful and strong they were. I never saw how they smiled or even when they wept. I never saw them when they were hurt or sick. I never tried to see them when they were angry or even confused. All these years, all that I know from my sons was only their breath, sound of their footsteps, their voice and their touch. I hold responsibility for my sons to be tagged as villains. I hold the responsibility for their behaviour, their greediness and their sheer disgraceful doings and also for their death.”

Krishna came towards Gandhari and tried to console her. “Don’t cling to the past, Queen. A pain will remain until another pain comes along. This is all Karma and that’s life.”

“No Krishna! You will never understand a mother’s pain. And this pain is not something that will pass by with time. It will stay for ever. Henceforth, every day, when I see Kunti smiling and having fun with her sons, it will remind me of my sons. Every day when I hear Bhīma’s voice, I will be reminded of him killing my sons. When I walked in these corridors, there were hundred sons of mine whose hands clung to my hands. Now, I have none. The breeze will remind me of the emptiness. It will be the same for Draupathi too.”-saying so, Gandhari turned towards Draupathi who was standing next to her and spoke, “Draupathi, is this what you wanted? I have lost everything that was the world to me. Of course, what my sons did to you was not acceptable. They do deserve to be punished. They teased you, your husbands killed them. But the one who is affected the most because of your curse is me. I and my husband will be the ones who will live holding your curse till our last breath. From now on, this world will label me and my husband as the example of poor parenting who turned their sons into criminals. We will be called as worthless and shameful parents responsible for the death of their own sons. Does it make you happy to see us like this? Is this what you wanted us to go through for our poor parenting? Look at you.  You lost your sons too! Your curse was not only responsible for my sons’ death but for your sons too. Your curse was responsible for many young women to live as widows at a very young age, including Abhimanyu’s wife, Uthhara. Will it make you feel happy when you see them while you are sitting as a Queen with Yudhistra? I weep for my sons who have done a mistake but how about you? What is the need for you to weep? Was it all worth?”            

"Witness the death of your beloved!"

Draupathi on listening to Gandhari’s words started weeping. Gandhari continued, “My sons were sinned and so they were killed. What about your sons? Your vengeance is all that’s responsible for the death of your sons. The pain that you hold is the same as what I hold now and we are going to regret it till our death. You started this war only because you had Krishna by your side and you were sure that he will protect you all. But see what he has done. He failed you too.” Gandhari turned her rage towards Krishna and roared, “Krishna, you supported the Pandavas. I know who you are. Why is it that you favoured only the Pandavas? Why is it that you did not try to persuade my sons to follow the path of dharma and prevent war? You have the power to prevent the war and yet you did not choose to use it. What happened is an outcome of your unjust act. I remember you reciting Gita to Arjuna in the battle field. Sanjaya narrated to us. That’s not an excuse to go to war with family and friends. You did fail to say those to my sons. Is this the way of teaching Karma and dharma?  How can you say that a pain matters only when until another pain hurts the heart? Have you ever seen the death of your sons? This war is a cruel lesson. For both the sides. You were merciless. You were callous to your own creatures.”-Saying so, Gandhari screamed, “You are the only one who is responsible for the death of my sons. For me and my husband to suffer like this. For everyone to feel ashamed and hurt. You are responsible for the death of those innocent soldiers, for the pain and sufferings of those soldiers’ wife and mother. You are solely responsible for everything, right from the start. May you, Krishna, witness the death of your sons and grandsons. I curse you to witness the devastation and demolition of your city and the Yadava clan. I curse you, the almighty, to stand and just witness the death of your beloved ones and be unable to do anything about it. May you face death by being hunted like an animal!”-cursing Krishna Gandhari cried heavily.

On listening to Gandhari’s curse, everyone was stunned. Draupathi went on her knees, howled and begged to Gandhari, “Matha, This war was my fault. I was the one who had vengeance in my heart. If you are to curse, curse me. Kill me and my husbands, right now. Don’t blame Krishna.” Krishna was silent. He was not shocked or even sad. He hugged both Gandhari and Draupathi. He said nothing. He allowed both of them to vent out their ache. Gandhari and Draupathi were almost exhausted crying for a long time.

He held both of the shattered women within his arms. Krishna who was silent all this time, spoke kindly, “Matha, I accept your curse. For all those pain I have caused to you and to Draupathi and to all the mothers and wives, if it takes the annihilation of my clan, then let be it. But, let me tell you something. You know that I have tried to speak to Duryodhana about the effects of war and asked him to go in the path of peace. But he refused. As a mother, you should have stopped Duryodhana from doing malevolent activities, when he was a child itself. You stood silent when your brother, Uncle Saguni was leading your sons in the path of evil. You do know what dharma is. It was your love for your sons that stopped you from scolding or amending them. And it was the same love that destroyed your sons’ lives. Your sons failed to share, be affectionate and listen. You failed in making them understanding dharma. Dharma is not in giving when you have everything. It’s when a man with a lesser amount of food in his hand shares it with another. Dharma is not only in understanding and talking but in practicing, preaching and also in opposing when there is adharma. Fate throws only questions to us. But the answer...the choice is in the hands of the human soul. Which path to follow…which way to walk…how to walk…the decision is all decided by the respective human. And based on those decisions, destiny plays its part. Duryodhana chose greediness as his path.”

“Draupathi chose revenge as her path. She was not able to forgive your sons. She demanded vengeance. And so, in getting the lives of your sons, the cost she paid was her sons’ lives. Humans should discover that dharma is in forgiving and sharing. They both uproot the cause of violence. Domination works only in Jungle. Not for humans. Domination will destroy humans. When they try to dominate, it means they are following adharma. It’s only the desire to be on top makes man go greedy, makes him think he is more powerful, makes him enforce his power on others and makes him to indulge in all sorts of adharma. Dharma is about affection and love which leads to listening, giving, helping and forgiving. Matha Gandhari’s sons died because their sons refused to share. Draupathi’s sons died because she could not forgive. Dharma will be the only thing that will bring peace to this world.”

"Fate only throws questions!"

Gandhari and others accepted Krishna’s words and enlightened on what real dharma is, Gandhari forgave the Pandavas and Draupathi. She also apologised to Krishna for her misunderstanding and curse. She even tried to take back the curse but Krishna informed her that once cursed, it’s irrevocable. That’s the power of words and curse and he told that he will face it for it is in his destiny. With Krishna’s words and the effects of war, everyone realized that starting a war or following adharma is always easy but the consequences are really heavy to handle and is excruciatingly extensive. 

Cheer Haran!

“NO!!!”- Vidhura, Bhishma and Dronacharya protested the idea of Saguni.

“Dear son, Yudhistra! This has already gone way beyond imagination. Don’t continue. Don’t carry the burden of bringing Draupathi into this.” – Vidhura warned Yudhistra.

“Yudhistra! You must not. You are a King. Don’t do this. This must not be accepted.”- Pithamaha Bhishma cautioned Yudhistra.

“Brother! Don’t involve Draupathi into this. This is Duryodhana’s plan right from the start! To insult her. This is not dharma: wagering wife in gambling. I beg you. Please don’t proceed.”- Arjuna pleaded to his stranded brother Yudhistra.

“Yudhistra! Look at your brothers. Such a mighty warriors kneeling in front of everyone, stripped of their weapons. Like servants, they are on their knees. As a responsible brother, you are supposed to free them from this insult and bring back their honor. And your honor too! Your only way to win them is by betting your wife!”- Saguni provoked Yudhistra and continued, “Moreover, as a husband, you have your right on her. She is still in your possession and you have the right to wager her. I don’t think you have the right to refuse the game from proceeding...speaking in terms of dharma.”- Saguni and Duryodhana smiled deceitfully with the confidence of victory.

Seeing no way out, chained to dharma, Yudhistra rolled the dice. Saguni played his turn with an undignified gesture.  Undoubtedly, Saguni won. Yudhistra rose from his throne and went to kneel alongside his brothers.

Duryodhana, wobbling in happiness boasted himself. “Vidhura! Go and fetch that servant maid Draupathi for me.”- Duryodhana ordered Vidhura who was on the peak of ire.

“Are you insane? You’re going far beyond irrational, Duryodhana. Stop all this right now. Return all those that you got from Yudhistra by cheating. Beg for forgiveness from him and save yourself. If you involve Draupathi into this, that’s the end of you. I warn you, right now, to act. You are behaving like a lion cub roaring at a forest fire.” – Vidhura was spurting words of fire on Duryodhana.

“Me!?!  You want me to beg to Yudhistra!?!? I’m his Lord now. He is my servant! You want me to beg to my servant! No servant has got the right to stand against his Lord’s words. You know what’s the problem, Minister? It’s just even though Yudhistra has got nothing, you, Pithamaha and Dronacharya still are afraid of him and his wife. Forest fire! Who?! That Draupathi!? She is my servant maid!”-Big-headed Duryodhana saying those words to Vidhura, turned towards his charioteer, Prathikami and said, “Prathikami, Bring that Draupathi to this court.”

Though Prathikami knew about Draupathi’s fierce character and that what he is about to do is wrong, he had no option but to follow the orders of Duryodhana. With haste, Prathikami went to Draupathi’s chamber and spoke, “Forgive me for entering the chamber without permission, Queen Draupathi. King Yudhistra was deceived in the dice game by King of Gandhara and Prince Duryodhana. The King has lost his brothers, himself and you. So, Prince Duryodhana wants you to be in the assembly hall, now. Come with me, O Queen of Indraprastha.”

Draupathi, who was stunned and at the same time enraged on the act of her husband said, “Prathikami! Am I an object to wager in a game!? What has gone into the minds of the sons of Pandu? Which King would stake his wife for a game? Go to the hall and ask my husband, the gambler, ‘whom he had lost first- Is it me or him?’ Without knowing the answer, I won’t come to the hall. Go and ask the gambler this question and inform your Lord, Prince Duryodhana that I don’t take orders from him.”

Duryodhana, on seeing Prathikami returning empty handed got more frenzied. When Prathikami asked Draupathi’s question to Yudhistra, unable to give an answer, Yudhistra lowered his head in humiliation. Duryodhana, insulted on hearing Draupathi’s words for him, got more furious and yelled at Prathikami saying, “Oh! All you know is only to ride a chariot. Not able to even bring a servant maid and taking her orders. You are all having no cleverness.”

      He then turned towards his brother and spoke, “Duchadhana! My dear brother, that Draupathi demands answer. Let her get the answer in the hall. Go and fetch her. Do whatever it takes to bring her to the hall.”

"Go and fetch her, Duchadhana!"

Taking orders from his brother, Duchadhana walked swiftly to Draupathi’s chamber and spoke with a wily smile, “Oh Princess of Panchala, you are won by my brother and he demands you to be present in the hall. Come with me peacefully. I have every right to do whatever it takes to bring you to the assembly hall.”

Hearing his words, Draupathi rose from her seat in anger and spoke, “Duchadhana! Don’t you dare! I don’t take orders from you or your brother. Leave the premise now. Or you will be burnt to ashes.”

Saying so, Draupathi started leaving the room and went towards the chambers of Kunti and Gandhari. Exasperated, irate Duchadhana went after Draupathi and seized her locks that was long, undulant and scented with flowers and perfumes. He dragged her with all his force. He dragged her from her chamber to the assembly hall, all through the way by holding her hair. Draupathi, who was struck like a flower in a storm, cried at Duchadhana, “You and your brother are going to pay for all this. Is this the way how you are cultured to treat a woman, a queen? You all will perish for this act of yours.”

With Duchadhana taking time, there was sheer silence in the hall. Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana and Saguni were filled with rage while the Pandavas, Vidhura, Pithamaha and Dronacharya were restless worried about Draupathi. The moments of silence were broken as the wail of Draupathi was heard from distance. Her cry gave immense heaviness in the hearts of the Pandavas, Vidhura, Pithamaha and Dronacharya. Even King Dhritarashtra was worried realizing that things have gone beyond his hands. Hearing her cry, Duryodhana and Saguni laughed wholeheartedly, seeing the victory of their plan. Draupathi’s cries echoed all over the corridor and the walls of the courtroom.

With hairs tousled, ornaments that she wore appearing messy and the dress she wore slackened, Draupathi was dragged by Duchadhana into the assembly hall. He pushed her to the center of the hall where Duryodhana and Saguni were enjoying their success.

Standing up strong and sturdy, Draupathi said to Duchadhana- “You disrespect a woman in front of the superiors assembled! Is this what you learnt from Dronacharya and your parents? You will not be forgiven for this act by my husbands.”

“Your husbands!? Oh, you mean my servants! I heard you had questions to be asked to Yudhistra. There he is, kneeled along with your other husbands. Ask him!”- Duryodhana pointed towards the direction of the Pandavas.

The Pandavas who were already enraged on Duchadhana’s act were kneeling with eyes facing the ground. Draupathi looked at them with flame in her eyes. “Wagering wife for gambling!? Is this your dharma? How is it that you think you have rights on me when you have lost yourself!? And did my other husbands give you the permission to wager me!? Where was your conscience when you know you are being tricked!? Why did you willingly continue the game?”- Draupathi was firing questions at Yudhistra like fierce arrows.

“Cheated!? Tricked?! Wait…Wait...” – Saguni stopped Draupathi and spoke ingeniously, “Oh Princess of Panchala, we played as per the rules set by Pithamaha Bhishma. We played among the great followers of dharma-Pithamaha was here, Vidhura was here, Dronacharya was here and above all, your husband, Son of Dharma, King Yudhistra approved every move of mine! How can it be against dharma then!? We played by the rules of dharma! The rules framed by the mighty Pithamaha, himself. And my son-in-law won!”

"We played by the rules of dharma!"-Saguni

Draupathi glanced at Saguni with rays of fire on her eyes – “You think you speak smartly!? Everyone here knows that you cheated. You manipulated the game just like how you manipulated the words of Pithamaha, Vidhura and my husband and the laws of the game. We all know that you tricked and it’s beyond the point of discussion for you are skilled in it and we can’t prove it.”

Duryodhana blinded by his vengeance said to Draupathi- “Yes! We tricked. So what!? It doesn’t matter now. We won and your husbands lost. You’re my servant maid now. And as my servant maid, I order you to come and sit on my lap.”

Infuriated on Duryodhana’s words, Draupathi yelled back at him, “I don’t take orders from you! And I’m not your servant maid! Don’t you dare test my patience!”

Draupathi’s roar silenced the whole hall. Duryodhana and even the Pandavas were taken aback on Draupathi’s roar.

Karna, irate on his friend being insulted broke the silence-“What’s wrong in it? You already have five husbands. Just like a whore.”

The Pandavas filled with wrath shouted at Karna but Duryodhana’s one word stopped them. Even Pithamaha was shocked to hear such a word from Karna. Pithamaha Bhishma, Dronacharya and Vidhura lowered their head with disgrace while Draupathi continued shooting her pointy darts - “I’m the daughter-in-law of this family and this is how my family reacts when I’m being called like that! I came to this family, trusting my five mighty husbands. But they were not there to help me when Duchadhana was being discourteous to me. Even now! I placed my trust on the experienced and most respected people of Kuru family- Pithamaha Bhishma, my father-like Dronacharya and Vidhura. And they too stay put, doing nothing when the daughter-in-law of their family is affronted. I believe my husbands learnt the meaning of dharma from you all and that’s why the whole family is letting this happen to me. Where is the Kshatriya reputation of Kuru!? Such an unworthy act and none stands against it! Is this how every woman is going to be treated in the future, by her in-laws!?”

Sobbing for her condition for a moment, Draupathi grasped her breath and looked up at her husbands with rage, “You are all bound to your ethics and uncle Saguni manipulated your ethics and principles but you all forgot one thing that your own dharma and ethics is not the dharma of the whole world. It’s not the real dharma. You’re all bound to only your morals and so you won’t be helping me today from what’s to happen.”

She turned towards Pithamaha and Dronacharya and spoke, “Even you both too forgot to understand real dharma after all these years of living! Else, Pithamaha and Dronacharya, I believe you both would not have allowed this to go this far. You both would not have seated on your seats like a spineless person when a women is being insulted. You all lost your spirit. You all don’t share the vision of dharma and hence you too won’t be able to protect me.”

Draupathi glimpsed everyone assembled in the hall and spoke, “Kings! Princes! Foremost souls of Kuru dynasty! All of you are might warriors, followers of dharma and lead your kingdom in the most righteous path! Then why do you all remain silent when such a felony is being done in front of your eyes?”

Everyone lowered their head in disgrace except for Duryodhana, Duchadhana, Karna and Saguni. Vikarna, brother of Duryodhana, who was silent all these time said-“Kings! I believe the princess of Panchala has placed a valuable question in front of us. A question that defines who we are. When everything here is done based on our judgments, I believe she deserves the right to consider her judgments too. Why Pithamaha, Dronacharya and Vidhura are remaining calm? You are all supposed to lead us in the path of dharma and if you remain calm, how dharma can be followed in Hastinapur?”

Ruler of Hastinapur!

Vikarna turned towards his father and said, “King of Hastinapur! Father! Listen to me. As a ruler, you are supposed to make sure goodness prevails in the lives of Hastinapur. It suits for the court too. If the court itself fails in it, how can you be called as a great emperor? The princess of Panchala, she is our daughter-in-law. You blessed her to prosper with good life when she arrived to this family. How can you let those words fail? Father, I beg you to break the silence. You are a King. A father to a daughter. Father to my brother Duryodhana and Duchadhana. Don’t let them do this. Don’t allow them to proceed further. Do save the Pandavas and the princess of Panchala.”

Though Vikarna pleaded repeatedly, everyone assembled believed that things are out of their reach and nothing can be done. No king responded. Vikarna after a moment of silence spoke, “King of Hastinapur! Kings assembled! All my brothers! I stand by Draupathi’s words. She is right. Wife is not an object to wager in a game. King Yudhistra wagered her only after losing him. When he has lost himself, he clearly can’t place his wife. Moreover, Draupathi is wife to all the five sons of Pandu. Without seeking permission from his brothers, Yudhistra should not have done it. Also, King Yudhistra got permission from them while wagering his brothers but he did not seek permission from Draupathi. So, considering all these, I regard that my brother has not won Draupathi. What’s done to her is injustice.”

Though there was silence, the kings assembled cheered Vikarna and supported him. Hearing oppositions for his friend, Karna spoke – “What is wrong with you all? How can you oppose Duryodhana? He is your King. Draupathi is Yudhistra’s possession. He has right on her. You speak of wisdom but Vikarna you are a kid in this. All the wealth Yudhistra owns is won by Saguni for Duryodhana which includes Draupathi too.”

Duryodhana listening to Karna’s words stared at Vikarna and spoke, “You are my brother. So, I forgive you for this. You are still a kid, as said by Karna. Even Yudhistra approved it. Why is it you fail to see? If what you say is right, then what’s followed by Pithamaha Bhishma, Vidhura, Dronacharya and Yudhistra is wrong. Do you accept it?”

Duryodhana, Duchadhana, Karna and Saguni laughed hysterically while everyone else in the assembly was filled with regret. Duchadhana insulted Draupathi on hearing the words of the Pandavas. He spoke unpleasant words and called Draupathi with offensive names.

Bhīma, who was beyond way of controlling his rage, stared Yudhistra and with eyes full of wrath and spoke –“Even men with illicit behavior would never stake his beloved wife. But you, considering yourself as follower of dharma did such a despicable thing. I was not concerned when you lost your kingdom or wealth or even us. But, this act of yours, staking impeccable Draupathi and rolling dice after wagering her, I shall break those hands of yours and burn them to blazing fire till it turns to ash.”

While Yudhistra was crying with humiliation, Arjuna spoke, “O brother! Don’t utter such harsh words. Brother followed Kshatriya rule and we all know he played against his will.”

Staring at Arjuna who was supporting Yudhistra, Bhīma’s rage amplified –“Arjuna! Just because he followed Kshatriya rule, you accept what he has done!? No Kshatriya, ignore Kshatriya, no man with rational thinking would wager his wife. I wish to burn his hands for putting Draupathi in this situation. Even after burning his hands, I don’t think my anger will calm down.”

Seeing Bhīma’s anger, Duryodhana and Duchadhana laughed hilariously. Duryodhana turned towards Duchadhana and spoke, “Duchadhana! Dear brother! The slaves are wearing ornaments and silk garments! Those belong to me. Fetch it all. And also, the ornaments Draupathi is wearing. And…she insulted me in front of everyone. The slave who doesn’t take her lord’s order should be punished. So, take off her attire.”

The Pandavas were filled with wrath on hearing Duryodhana’s words. Even the King, Pithamaha and Dronacharya were stunned to hear such words. They even shouted at Duchadhana to not go near Draupathi. They threw their ornaments at Duryodhana and Duchadhana. “Duchadhana, don’t you dare go near Draupathi. That’ will be the end of your life. I swear I will rip the hands that touch Draupathi’s attire.”- Bhīma vowed right in front of the gathered.

“Slave! Behave like one. All of you go and kneel where you belong.” – Duryodhana yelled at the Pandavas.

         Helpless, the Pandavas stood silent with rage filling their heart. Duchadhana went near Draupathi who stood there deserted and forcibly seized her attire in front of all. Stranded by her husbands and by the foremost elders of the assembly, with no human soul to support her, Draupathi raised her hands above her head, closed her wet and weary eyes and prayed aloud, “O Govinda! Prince of Dwaraka! The protector of cows of Vrindhavana! This calf is being humiliated and ripped by the demons of Kauravas. Rescue me. I’m drowning in the ocean of adharma. The hands of evil minded Kauravas are tearing my soul. O Krishna! My protector and rescuer! Rescue the distressed soul and grant salvation within your protective arms.”

         The prayers of Draupathi appeared funny to laugh at, for the shrewd Duryodhana, Saguni and Duchadhana but not for Krishna!

“Your prayers didn’t even leave the assembly hall. How do you expect Krishna to help you from Dwaraka!? He must be busy with his cows!”-Duryodhana teased Draupathi and Krishna.

"Govinda!" - Draupathi

Draupathi submitted herself to Krishna that she didn’t even hear Duryodhana or mind Duchadhana ripping her clothes. Though Krishna was in the battlefield, outside Dwaraka, he did hear the cry of the surrendered soul. Moved on Draupathi’s surrender, he rushed to protect her. Unseen by the tainted souls assembled in the hall, Krishna protected Draupathi with shades of clothes. Sheer silence engulfed the hall witnessing the surreal incident. Though none in the assembly could understand what is happening, enraged Duchadhana kept stripping Draupathi. Attires came in protection for Draupathi and the hall appeared like it was raining attires. Duchadhana kept ripping Draupathi’s attire again and again, until the floor of the assembly hall was filled with the attire of Draupathi. The more Duchadhana dragged, the more the floor was covered with her attire but Draupathi stood unharmed and intact.  Exhausted, Duchadhana lose hold of Draupathi’s attire. He fell down on the floor that was flooded with Draupathi’s attire.

Witnessing the most extraordinary event of all worlds, the Kings stood astounded. They began to murmur about Draupathi and her virtues. They criticized the act of Duryodhana, Saguni and Duchadhana. Draupathi stood in the center of the hall, completely unharmed. She opened her eyes and gazed at the fatigued Duchadhana who was lying on the floor and like a sprouting fire she stood staring at the confused Duryodhana. No words were spoken by her or Duryodhana.

Bhīma, trembling with wrath, stood up and amongst the kings assembled, he roared, “Hear the words I’m about to speak, King Dhritarashtra. None in this world will get to hear to such dreadful words about their son’s death. The moment I get to war with Duchadhana, I will rip the chest of this crook and will drink his blood. I will slay every single despicable son of yours. I am going to be the nightmare for your sons.”

King Dhritarashtra felt tremors in his heart for he knew the strength of Bhīma. For the first time, he felt that he and his sons have gone beyond everything for the throne and they are about to lose their life for it. Seeing that the hall might explode against Duryodhana, Karna spoke, “Duchadhana, get the servants to take Draupathi to the servant maid’s apartments.”

Draupathi raised her hand and stopped Duchadhana from reaching her. Gathering all her energy from within, she spoke with attitude, “Wait O wicked Duchadhana! I am not done yet.”

Turning towards King Dhritarashtra, she spoke, “King! My husbands consider you as their father and you too have taken the responsibility of raising my husbands and gave them good education. As your daughter-in-law, I too respected you like my father. Hear my words, O King! The tousled hair of mine, the one your son Duchadhana dragged, I will not tie it until I purify it with your son’s blood. Your sons will pay their life as the price for the dishonour they have done to me.”

She turned towards Pithamaha Bhishma and continued, “I was not able to give my greeting to you all most respected souls of the dais when I entered the hall. And I know it wasn’t my fault for I was dragged forcibly by the sinful Duchadhana and I was deprived of my senses.  I lost my senses to such an extent that I pleaded you all and to my husbands to save me. Look at you all! Seated like dead people, with head lowered in front of an innocent soul. Where is the dharma and ethics for which you are all celebrated for? Tell me O great souls! I belong to the same family of the Kuru. I am the wife of King Yudhistra! In fact, the first daughter-in-law of this highly respected Kuru family! I am the daughter of Dronacharya’s friend. I am friend of Lord Krishna! And the wife of the Pandavas! Tell me whether I am a servant maid? Karna called me whore and everyone here calls me as a servant maid. Tell me whether the way I was brought to this hall is reasonable? Break your silence and be truthful to dharma at least now! Lowering your heads will only lead you all to be more sinful. I will accept the answer wholeheartedly. Tell me whether I am considered as won or not?”

"We all failed!" -Vidhura

Vidhura stood turned towards those assembled and spoke-“Alas! The Kauravas or the Pandavas have no rights to answer the question placed by Draupathi for it has been answered by the Lord himself. Innocent people come to King seeking dharma and ethics. We all failed in our purpose, sitting unmoved by her plead. The Lord of three worlds, the creator and protector of all souls, the one who knows what dharma is, has answered her question and assured us that we have tainted our souls with sin, for not protecting her. Draupathi is not considered as a stake and so Duryodhana has not won her.”

The Kings, on listening to Vidhura’s words lowered their head humiliated and spoke not a word. Undeserving of such a terrible conduct, Draupathi who gathered all her strength all this time to stand on her legs fell on the floor and wept her whole heart out. On hearing the insult to Draupathi through the servant maids, Gandhari and Kunti rushed to the assembly hall.

Seeing Draupathi weeping and unable to help her out, Bhīma with rage turned towards Duryodhana and spoke, “Duryodhana! Remember me as the voice of your death. I will crush that thigh on which you asked Draupathi to sit. Only after crushing the bones in that thigh, I will kill you.”

Bhīma’s vow triggered rage in the hearts of the Kauravas while in King Dhritarashtra’s heart it hit like lightning. Stunned at the looks of Draupathi and the hall and eyes of Duryodhana and Bhīma staring at each other like a lion waiting to kill, Gandhari felt that her sons are in grave danger.

Gandhari, filled with grief, addressed to King Dhritarashtra, “O King of Hastinapur! What have you done!? Why on earth did you allow this to happen?! What you have done has brought disgrace to the Kauravas and also to Kuru dynasty. Trying to make your son as King, you have literally paved path for their destruction. The sons of Pandu are calm and passive. What you have done has provoked them. A river might flow peacefully in its path but you try stopping it from its path, it will drown you. That’s what you have done to the Pandavas and to Draupathi. Years of ruling and you sit on the throne like a juvenile kid and you allowed your son to do this!! Don’t be responsible for the terrible loss of your sons, forever. Stop this recklessness right now. Save your sons.”

Blinded in his love for his sons, King Dhritarashtra felt tremor passing in his nerves. Chillness spread in his spine out of fear. Desirous of saving his sons from death, King Dhritarashtra using his insight and knowledge, tried to console Draupathi. He silenced Duryodhana from proceeding further and addressed to Draupathi, “O Draupathi! You are the first daughter-in-law of the family. You are the one who should be responsible for its growth and harmony. You are free. Ask me for any boon and I will grant it for sure.”

Gandhari encouraged Draupathi to ask for anything she seeks and assured that the King will grant everything. Draupathi consoled herself, stood on her legs, turned towards the King and spoke, “O King of Hastinapur, if you would like to grant me a boon, free King Yudhistra from slavery. I don’t wish my sons, Princes of Indraprastha to be called as ‘son of slave’.”

“Granted! Ask for second boon.” – King Dhritarashtra didn’t even wait for Draupathi to finish.

Draupathi said -“I want Bhimasena, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva to be freed and give back their authority by giving them their weapons.”

King Dhritarashtra said to her - “Granted! They are free and let their weapons and chariots too be returned. Ask for the last boon.”

“O King! Everything I need, they will win it for me. Hence, I do not merit a third boon from you.” – Draupathi responded with attitude.

King Dhritarashtra said, “Let it be as you desire, Draupathi. I return everything that was lost by Yudhistra in the game. He will have everything back.”

“Ahh…Frightened blind man.” – mumbled Saguni.

Duryodhana sighed - “How could he do that? I can’t believe he just did that! Returning all those that I have won and own!”

King Yudhistra and the Pandavas rose from their position, moved towards the dais and seeking blessings from King Dhritarashtra, King Yudhistra spoke, “O King, We take your orders. Command us what we should be doing next.”

Pandavas and King Dhritarashtra

With a relief, King Dhritarashtra replied- “O Son of Dharma! Bless you and your brothers. Let there always be peace and safety between Hastinapur and Indraprastha. Remember not the harsh words of Duryodhana and Duchadhana. They are your brothers too. Forgive them for the way they have behaved today, for the sake of your mother Gandhari and this blind man. Return to your Kingdom and live a successful life. Let your hearts be filled with dharma.”

King Yudhistra, seeking blessings from the wise men assembled, left the hall with his brothers and wife, Draupathi. Saguni and Duryodhana were not able to see them leaving just like the way they entered Hastinapur.

Karna witnessing the Pandavas and Draupathi leaving the hall spoke, “The sons of Pandu were saved by the Princess of Panchala today. Never ever heard or seen such an act by any women on this earth. She was powerful and raging like a wild fire. Undeniably, she arose as redemption for the sons of Pandu.”

Throwing an angry look at Karna, Duchadhana turned towards Duryodhana and spoke, “If we let them go like this, people will definitely speak ill of us. To top that, they will also praise Draupathi just like how Karna did now. It’s again an insult to us brother.”

“Only way to reduce them to ashes is…another dice game, Duryodhana. Will your father approve?” – Saguni was in full swing with his next strategy.

"Another dice Game, Duryodhana!"

“If there’s a way to degrade the Pandavas, I will make everything happen in our favor. Don’t worry, Uncle.”- Sharing a sly glance at each other, Duryodhana turned towards the King and spoke, “Father! Bring the Pandavas back. Let’s cast dice again!”

“Duryodhana, have you lost your senses? Don’t you remember what just happened…the rage of Draupathi and her supremacy?” – enquired raged Vidhura.

Ignoring Vidhura’s words, Duryodhana said, “Father, just think. If we leave them now with all their wealth, definitely they will come back with war. With Bhīma and Arjuna waiting to kill us, this will be a better chance for them to attack Hastinapur. Krishna will join them. Our enemies will join them too! We won’t be able to win the war. Uncle Saguni is an ace gambler. None can defeat him. Let them play again. Yudhistra, for sure, will lose this time too. We will ask them to serve ‘Vanavasa’. Exile! That way we will keep them content, so that when I get to rule Hastinapur, the Pandavas won’t be a trouble.”

  Hearing the words of Duryodhana, the wise men assembled opposed Duryodhana. They appealed to King Dhritarashtra - “Don’t allow this, O King. Let there be peace. King Yudhistra takes your orders seriously. He has given his word to forgive your sons.”

Gandhari pleaded to her husband, “Don’t do this, O King. This will certainly lead to the destruction of your sons. Our entire race will be annihilated by the mighty Pandavas. For our sons, kindly follow the path of dharma. Don’t be responsible for their death.”

King Dhritarashtra, still blinded by the greed he had for Duryodhana to rule as King, ignored pleads of the wise men and his wife and said, “Summon the sons of Pandu to play dice game, again.”

He then turned towards Gandhari and said, “If this is how the destruction of my race is destined then let it happen. Let the destiny play as it desires to. Let my sons live and die as they desire.”

The royal messenger left the hall and went near the palace doors where the Pandavas were preparing to leave Hastinapur in their chariot.

Preventing the chariots from leaving, the royal messenger went towards King Yudhistra and said, “O King! Your uncle, our Kings has summoned you: O King Yudhistra! Come to the hall and play dice game.”

The Pandavas and Draupathi were stunned to listen to the message. King Yudhistra said, “Knowing that it will bring destruction to both his family and to his kingdom, our Uncle still summons me for yet another game. Yet, I cannot refuse!”

Saying so, King Yudhistra descended from his chariot and turned to the palace entrance with his brothers. Draupathi, snubbing the words of the King, left in her chariot towards Hastinapur, leaving her husbands.

“Uncle Saguni for sure, will manipulate the game. His intentions are purely evil. Knowing that you are going to lose, why are you going to play?” – Nakula enquired his elder brother.

Yudhistra said - “Nakula, it’s an order from our King and I can’t decline it. It’s Kshatriya rule to follow the orders. Moreover, after seeing what has happened, yet again King Dhritarashtra is summoning means it’s not his compulsion but fate’s. I believe that the game is being played through Uncle Saguni, by fate. Both me and Uncle Saguni are just the coins.”

The Pandavas entered the assembly. Bowing to King Dhritarashtra, the Pandavas stood eyeing at Duryodhana and Saguni.

The hall was filled with silence, knowing what’s about to happen. Bound to loyalty they remained silent with their heads lowered. King Yudhistra broke the silence, “O King! Compelled by fate and your son, I have been summoned by you. I can’t refuse it and so here I am with my brothers. ”

Unable to utter a word, King Dhritarashtra lowered his head. Saguni broke the silence, “O King Yudhistra, This game doesn’t involve wealth or army or slaves. Hastinapur has got it more than what you have in Indraprastha. This time we are going to play for only one thing. Nothing will be at stake. Duryodhana and his brothers against the Pandavas with Draupathi. The one who is defeated will surrender their kingdom to the winner and will live in exile for 13 years. Dressed in deer skin, the loser should live in forest for 12 years and on their 13^th year they should live unrecognised. If recognised, the exile continues. Are you fine with the rules and the wager?”

King Yudhistra replied -“O King of Gandhara, Knowing the consequences, I accept. Let us play.”

"Let us play!"- Yudhistra

Bound to Kshatriya rule, King Yudhistra again sat in front of the board. The board was placed in the same place where Draupathi was affronted. With Duryodhana enjoying his success deep inside his heart, Saguni took his magical dice and casted them. Moments passed with only Saguni and Duryodhana enjoying the time.

“Ah! I have won, again!”- Saguni jumped in victory along with destiny.