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A Timeless Story
Whilst polygamy is no more in practice, India sure has a record breaking history in this department. I am not even talking about the Kings back in their days marrying more than one woman, rather, it is about an unsung war hero who was married to five men, not by choice. Yes, Draupadi it is. I would rather love to call her Panchali. So much has been written and talked about Mahabharata, not much is known about her relationship with her 5 husbands, though.
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Cont.
Panchali was a woman of great character and was a brave heart, however, she was hit by the patriarchal norms of the society like any other woman. Whilst the Kings had freedom to spend their time and night with their most beloved wife or whoever they wished to spend time with, same was not the case with her.
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A little background
Draupadi was the daughter of King of Panchal, King Drupad. She was born from the fire along with her brother and she was a beauty to behold. Arjuna had won her hand in the Swayamwar, however, upon his return with his newlywed, his mother Kunti without knowing what he had got for her as a surprise asked all five brothers to share. Much to Draupadi’s shock even after knowing she was a living being in bones and flesh, she did not take her word back.
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She was Indispensable
Draupadi was truly a woman of fire. She knew how to keep all her husbands happy and meeting their needs too. She made herself indispensable and the most loved. However, there is more to her story than meets the eye. Here are certain secrets about Draupadi and her relationship with her husbands.
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Yudhishthira’s Rule
It was immaterial what others felt and if there was any way to rectify the situation, Yudhishthira, the eldest of all had his say in all matters. It did not matter if Draupadi was Arjuna’s wife, he was the one to lay the foundation. Yudhishthira decided that all the brothers will have exclusive rights to her chamber for one year and no brother could break this rule, else there will be consequences. He wanted peace between the brothers while sharing Draupadi.
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The Consequence
As per Yudhishthira’s rule whoever failed to keep up with the rule must bear the consequences in face of 12 years of exile. The same rule would imply if any brother would be disturbed amid being sexually engaged with her. Arjuna had to face 12 years of exile. Jump to the next slide to know why?
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Arjuna’s Exile
It is not what you think. Arjuna did not mean to do it on purpose to Yudhishthira and Draupadi, however, the circumstances were such he had to break the rule. He had to retrieve his weapons to help a poor Brahmin whose cows have been stolen. The way to armoury’s way was linked to Draupadi and Yudhishthira’s chambers. He had to bear the Punishment and was banished to 12 years of exile.
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What followed
In his exile, he learnt how to use the Brhmastra, met many teachers who imparted him with precious and exclusive knowledge. He met Indra Deva and was cursed by a celestial nymph Urvashi. He married Subhadra, Krishna’s half-sister and deeply fell in love with her, later he also married Chitrangada.
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Draupadi and the Pandavas
The Pandava brothers were in love with Draupadi, however, Arjuna had no such feelings for her. Majorly, because he never approved of what his mother decided for them and his brother agreed too. Draupadi was always into Arjuna more than any other brother. One Pandava brother who truly loved Draupadi was Bheem. She had one child each from
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Draupadi and Arjuna
Arjuna had married Draupadi by rightfully winning her hand in the Swayamwar. He was an obedient son and a great brother, but the truth was he never liked sharing Draupadi with his brothers. For him, his wife was exclusively his – but, unfortunately, he had no say in this matter. However, Draupadi always favoured Arjuna over others, secretly she always had feelings for him in her heart and was devastated when he married Subhadra.
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Draupadi and Bheem
Bheem loved Draupadi the most of all the Pandava brother. He fulfilled all her wishes and could never see her sad. He was of a huge built and people practically shivered in his proximity, however, he was quite a teenager around Draupadi and treated her wit utmost gentleness. In fact, it was Bheem who took down most of the
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Draupadi and Nakul-Sahadev
Nakul and Sahadev were ardent followers of Yudhishthira and they did exactly what he told them to do. It is funny that even their relationship with Draupadi was dictated by Yudhishthira. Honest or not, in the end, he was
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Draupadi’s Condition
Amid this chaos of being a wife to five brothers, she had just one condition that she will never share her household with anyone and no brother will bring another woman to share her household while she was in Indraprastha. In spite of her condition, Arjuna married Subhadra and Chitrangada. Bheem had to marry Hidimba and Valandhara. Yudhishthira married Devika. Nakul married Karenumati and Sahadev married Vijaya.
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Draupadi’s Secret
This one truth might shock you out of your wits. Draupadi was secretly and always in love with Kunti’s eldest son Karna. Not much is known about Karna’s feelings but he was deeply hurt when Draupadi had denied to marry him because he was a Sutta king. It is said, that Krishna told Draupadi that Karna and she were a part of one whole before she closed her eyes forever.
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