This is a very different article from what I usually write. It is a questioning article for many, a thinking article (hopefully) as well. It is pretty revolutionary, and a little harsh, but I feel, at times, these kind of questions need to be asked.
THIS ARTICLE IS NOT DIRECTED AT ANY PERSON, BUT AT THE WRONG PERCEPTION THAT MANY HAVE. I AM ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
"I hate Kunti!
"She is the reason Draupadi's happiness is spoiled
"It is because of her that everything in Mahabharata happened
"She is the reason Panchali suffered marrying five men
Enough people! Who are we to judge one who is the aunt of the Lord of the Universe? Who are we to judge one who is a mother of men who are some of the greatest warriors of all time? Who are we to judge the woman who let her husband do things as he desired without complaining? Didn't this same woman follow her husband to the forests though he asked her to not? Isn't she a princess who braved so many things? Who are we to judge the young woman who bravely raised not one, but five children in a palace amidst hatred? And how do we know what torment Maharani Kunti went through? Do we know Panchali's heart either? No we don't.
We do not have the right to judge Maharani Kunti either. You want to find fault with someone, first get to their level. Don't judge people without achieving what they have achieved. Reach their level and then judge.
This article is about Maharani Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas and of Karna, asking people questions about why they hate her, and stating facts that I have heard, which simply don't convince me.
The general reasons people give for their hatred of Kunti is as follows:
She left Karna in the Ganga, not caring about the child- I agree she did make a mistake there. But think of her situation. She was a young maiden, nowhere near marriage. What could she have honestly done? She had to think of the one who was protecting her, is it not? Her adoptive father? Of his reputation? Additionally, why does one think she did not repent doing that to Karna? She, who was such a loving mother to the five Pandavas, why would she not have felt the pang of missing Karna? Why do people villainise her so?
SHE DESTROYED PANCHALI'S HAPPINESS- Seriously? No, seriously? Destroyed Panchali's happiness? Was Maharani Kunti a Trikaaldarshini who knew what was happening in the future, knew Panchali was going to come and wanted unity with her sons? She artfully manipulated the situation? The Queen was busy with daily chores. Tell me something. If it is Kunti's fault, why is it not Arjuna's too? Who asked him to say look at what we have brought'? It was that statement which was interpreted. They were disguised as Brahmins, and they had gone for alms. How was Maharani Kunti to know that Arjuna won a Swayamvara? Why does everyone blame the Queen for uttering the words, which she herself retracted the second she realised it was Draupadi? Draupadi herself was said to be in love with all FIVE of them. In the Mahabharata written by Vyasa, there is never any mention of Draupadi staring only at Arjuna. He mentions Draupadi looking at all FIVE of them. All five were in love with her, and she with them as well. Why would the marriage of Draupadi proceed without Krishna's sanction? It is because Krishna, and Lord Shiva had said it that it happened. If Krishna did not want this marriage, it would never have happened. Then will you all blame Lord Krishna Himself for Draupadi's unhappiness? Did Krishna view Draupadi as a puppet in His hands? Is He cruel then? Is that how everyone views Him? A marriage pronounced by Kunti, but accepted by Gods themselves. Then who are we to judge and blame people saying Draupadi was miserable? None of the scriptures show Draupadi as some miserable woman when she married the five Pandavas. NONE. All that is extrapolation, and is written by people who show favouritism. According to me, Lord Krishna, who was one who spoke for women's rights, who kidnapped two of His wives, created situations to marry others, who asked Subhadra to follow her heart, will never ask only Draupadi to do so. He gives the Universe a choice, why would He not to His Priya Sakhi? If He Himself accepted the wedding, it should automatically imply that He did it knowing Panchali's affection for all five men. By disrespecting the marriage of Panchali with the Pandavas, one disrespects the Lord Himself.
She tried to manipulate Karna- Okay honestly. How was it manipulation? Imagine this: an old mother, who had seen her children suffer at most stages of their life, who had been separated from her children and lived at the enemy's place. Imagine her pangs each time she saw Karna, her own son, but not to the world? How would a mother feel when her children are pitted against the other? Would she let one die for the other? Never. A mother is one who will want to see her children survive. So, she went to Karna and spoke to him, pleading with him to accept her request, wanting to save her ALL her children. Is it her mistake for wanting her children to survive?
Now tell me, do we have the right to judge such a woman? Are we anywhere near the sacrifice that she has done? Do we have the right to speak ill of her?
This article does not even begin to describe the kind of sacrifice Maharani Kunti has done. What she has experienced is something most of us would not have even dreamt of.
I did add about Panchali-Pandava marriage because it is automatic that it will be discussed. I used logic to come to my conclusions, logic and the understanding that I have of Lord Krishna.
Forgive me if I have upset anyone's religious sensibilities.
