😆A comic description of Draupadi swayam var😆 (credit- mymythology.org)
The Panchala Kingdom is in a festival mood " decorations are everywhere; celebratory music thrills everyone; horses, elephants, and chariots stand by for a procession.
In the king's court, the royal suitors glance around to find out who among them is brave enough to be the first to pick up the bow. When King Sishupala of Chedi Kingdom slowly gets up, all eyes turn to him.
At this time, Dhrishta Dyumna, the host, announces: "One more thing! Remember the contest rules? The winner will shoot down the moving mechanical bird, while looking down at its reflection in the water, and not directly."
Oh, God! Deep sighs fill the room. It is no ordinary contest!
Sishupala glares toward Krishna with obvious hatred, as though remembering an old insult. He once lost his bride, Princess Rukmini, who was abducted by Krishna the night before her wedding. The abduction happened upon Rukmini's request. She was in love with Krishna and he with her, and an abduction was the only possible solution, because her wedding with Sishupala was all set to happen.
Now is the time, Sishupala thinks, to avenge that humiliation " as Krishna watches he will win Draupadi, and restore his pride! After adjusting his crown and his arm jewelry, the contestant swaggers forward, widely swinging his arms.
Without showing his nervousness, Sishupala bends down to lift the bow. He tries once, twice, and notices how heavy it is. The third time, using both his hands, he gives it a yank. His body drenched in sweat, he lifts the bow off the low pedestal, and, holding it with one hand, tries to bend it and fasten the bowstring with the other. But he fails again and again. His body shivers with the effort. Frustrated, he puts the bow back and returns to his seat, red-faced.
The audience members cheer: "One down!"
Next, there comes the mighty Jaraa Sandha, well-known for his strength, who does his best to control the bow. But the bow refuses to obey his hands. In his struggle, he falls to the ground face down, loses his teeth, as blood drips from his mouth. Turning crimson in his face, he averts his eyes from the guests, and returns. He leaves in his chariot without a look back.
One after another, the kings and princes try their skills. One by one they leave defeated, humbled.
This is an impossible contest! They grumble while exiting the door.
"Among all these eminent royalty, who have gathered here, not one is good enough to win!" says one Brahmin* man. "What a shame!"
One of the young Brahmins from the back row gets up.
"Yes, I agree! Please listen to me!" he says. All eyes turn to the handsome face. "If there is no Kshatriya* man good enough to handle the bow and arrows, the princess may not get married at all! I think one of us should go forward and try to win!"
"Who is this?" some mumble.
Krishna turns around with a subtle smile on his lips. "Arjuna?" he whispers.
Anupamaa
Indian Idol 15
