꧁༺ | ꧁•⊹Ishita⊹•꧂ AT # 1 - Page 8

Originally posted by: Sabhayata

This is awesome 😆. Why aren’t tv versions of Drau like this?

Because TV heroines need to be completely PatiParmeshwar ki bhakt

Originally posted by: Sabhayata

This is awesome 😆. Why aren’t tv versions of Drau like this?

As FP said because shows don't want to portray a woman with a brain and will of her own who doesn't need Krishna to prod her into thinking and refuses to justify the idiocy of her husband.

One of my favourite Draupadi part is her conversation with Bhima after Kichaka molests her. I hate how none of the tv versions show this properly.

In this one we find Draupadi both determined and vulnerable. Sad yet strong. Knowing what she wants yet helpless in ways.

Critical edition

Vaishampayana said, ‘Having been kicked by the son of a suta, the beautiful princess Krishna blazed forth and planned the general’s death. Drupada’s daughter then went to her own residence and having purified herself, the slender-waisted Krishna washed her body and her garments with water. Weeping, she thought about how she might emerge from her misery. “What will I do? Where will I go? How will my task be accomplished?” While she was thinking in this way, Bhima surfaced in her mind. “Other than Bhima, no one can act so as to bring pleasure to my mind.” -A woman who knows what she wants and is determined to get it.

Yet when she goes to Bhima she is vulnerable but still strong in her words

she was like a creeper embracing a large and flowering sala tree11 on the banks of the Gomati, like the wife of the king of animals waking up a sleeping lion in the deserted forest. Unblemished Panchali spoke to Bhimasena in words that were as sweet as a veena uttering gandhara notes.13 “O Bhimasena! Arise! Arise! How can you sleep as if you are dead? The evil one, who molested the wife of someone who is not dead, is still alive. My enemy, the evil-doing general, is still alive.”

Continues

She goes on to tell Bhima of every ones suffering including Yudi, Bhima, Arjuna and her twins and herself. So its not entirely about her. And then Bhima does this which just melts my heart.

Vrikodara, the destroyer of enemy warriors, then placed the swollen and calloused hands of the trembling one against his face and began to weep. The valorous Kounteya grasped them. Extremely miserable, and in a voice choked with tears, he spoke these words.’- Trembling one is Draupadi here

She becomes strong again in her words then

The insolent and evil-souled one has been repulsed repeatedly. But whenever he sets sight on me, he molests me and I am certain to give up my life. While all of you seek to observe dharma, a great dharma is being destroyed. The wife must be protected at the appropriate time. If the wife is protected, the offspring are protected. If the offspring are protected, one’s own self is protected. I have heard brahmanas speak about the dharma of different varnas.36 There is no dharma for kshatriyas other than the destruction of enemies. While Dharmaraja looked on, Kichaka kicked me with his foot. O Bhimasena! O immensely strong one! It was in your sight too. It was you who protected me from the terrible Jatasura and together with your brothers, also from Jayadratha.37 Kill the evil one who molests me in this way. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Because he is favoured by the king, he causes me grief. This one is overtaken by lust. Destroy him like an earthen pot against stone. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! He is responsible for many of my miseries. If the sun rises tomorrow morning and he is alive, I will drink poison, rather than fall into Kichaka’s clutches. O Bhimasena! It is better for me to die now, in front of you.”’ Vaishampayana said, ‘Having said this, she clung to Bhima’s chest and started to weep. Having embraced her, Bhima offered her great consolation. He thought of Kichaka in his mind and licked the corners of his mouth.’

617(21) ‘Bhimasena said, “O fortunate one! O timid one! I will do what you have said. I will kill Kichaka today, together with all his relatives. O Yajnaseni! O one with the beautiful smiles! Discard your sorrow and grief. Tomorrow evening, set up a tryst with him.

There are moments of intimacy between husband and wife and vulnerability in their conversation. I think it is the only such conversation in the entire epic. Just one to one between husband and wife. Both showing their sadness and vulnerability. Yet Draupadi was determined in punishing her tormentor.

The whole episode also shows how shrewd Panchali was.

She is the one who tells Bheema to kill the assaulter in secret. After it is done, she deliberately goes and draws attention to herself so Bheema can escape and also so that blame falls on Gandharvas instead of the bodybuilder/chef.

After all, Virat had said there was no proof Keechaka tried to assault her. So Bheema's actions would have invited sure death.

Then, when Upakeechakas went after her in public, Bheema had a legit reason to attack.

CE, Vol 4, 617 (21)

Droupadi said, “O lord! O brave one! If you do not wish to deviate from the pledge you have taken on my account,bring down Kichaka in secret.”

...

aving ensured that Kichaka was slain,Droupadi, supreme among women, was delighted and all her miseries disappeared. She toldthe guards of the assembly hall, “Kichaka has been killed by my gandharva husbands. Helusted after another one’s wife. Come and see.”

__________________

Interesting part is Arjuna's reaction. Mind you, this is before Bheema or Panchali had a chance to update the rest on events. His reaction suggests he already knew what was going on. Actually, it seems even Uttara knew.

CE, Vol 4, 619 (23)

She saw mighty-armed Dhananjaya in the dancing hall. Hewas instructing Virata’s daughter in dancing. Emerging from the dancing hall with Arjuna,the maiden saw Krishna arrive, who had been molested though she had been innocent. Themaiden said, “O Sairandhri! It is fortunate that you have been freed. It is fortunate that youhave returned. Though you were innocent, you were molested and it is fortunate that thesutas who caused this have been slain.” Brihannada said, “O Sairandhri! How were you freed?How were those evil ones slain? I wish to hear everything exactly as it happened.”

Originally posted by: HearMeRoar

The whole episode also shows how shrewd Panchali was.

She is the one who tells Bheema to kill the assaulter in secret. After it is done, she deliberately goes and draws attention to herself so Bheema can escape and also so that blame falls on Gandharvas instead of the bodybuilder/chef.

After all, Virat had said there was no proof Keechaka tried to assault her. So Bheema's actions would have invited sure death.

Then, when Upakeechakas went after her in public, Bheema had a legit reason to attack.

CE, Vol 4, 617 (21)

Droupadi said, “O lord! O brave one! If you do not wish to deviate from the pledge you have taken on my account,bring down Kichaka in secret.”

...

aving ensured that Kichaka was slain,Droupadi, supreme among women, was delighted and all her miseries disappeared. She toldthe guards of the assembly hall, “Kichaka has been killed by my gandharva husbands. Helusted after another one’s wife. Come and see.”

__________________

Interesting part is Arjuna's reaction. Mind you, this is before Bheema or Panchali had a chance to update the rest on events. His reaction suggests he already knew what was going on. Actually, it seems even Uttara knew.

CE, Vol 4, 619 (23)

She saw mighty-armed Dhananjaya in the dancing hall. Hewas instructing Virata’s daughter in dancing. Emerging from the dancing hall with Arjuna,the maiden saw Krishna arrive, who had been molested though she had been innocent. Themaiden said, “O Sairandhri! It is fortunate that you have been freed. It is fortunate that youhave returned. Though you were innocent, you were molested and it is fortunate that thesutas who caused this have been slain.” Brihannada said, “O Sairandhri! How were you freed?How were those evil ones slain? I wish to hear everything exactly as it happened.”

‘Droupadi said, “Jaya! Jayanta! Vijaya! Jayatsena! Jayadbala!44 Hear my words. The sons of the suta are carrying me away. The twangs of their bows and the slapping of their arms is heard in great battles. The roars of their chariots are terrible. They are swift. They are the powerful and illustrious gandharvas. Hear my words. The sons of the suta are carrying me away.”’

Vaishampayana said, ‘As soon as he heard the wail of Krishna’s piteous words, Bhima unhesitatingly leapt up from his bed. Bhimasena said, “O Sairandhri! I have heard the words that you have spoken. O timid one! You have no reason to fear the sons of the suta.” Having spoken these words, the mighty-armed one stretched and extended his body and changed his attire, in a great rage. He emerged, but not through a door.45 Bhimasena scaled the ramparts and swiftly uprooted a tree.

Bhima kills Kichaka and 105 of his relatives who tried to burn Draupadi alive. After this every one in the palace is so scared of Draupadi that they didn't even dare look in her direction.

Originally posted by: HearMeRoar

The whole episode also shows how shrewd Panchali was.

She is the one who tells Bheema to kill the assaulter in secret. After it is done, she deliberately goes and draws attention to herself so Bheema can escape and also so that blame falls on Gandharvas instead of the bodybuilder/chef.

After all, Virat had said there was no proof Keechaka tried to assault her. So Bheema's actions would have invited sure death.

Then, when Upakeechakas went after her in public, Bheema had a legit reason to attack.

CE, Vol 4, 617 (21)

Droupadi said, “O lord! O brave one! If you do not wish to deviate from the pledge you have taken on my account,bring down Kichaka in secret.”

...

aving ensured that Kichaka was slain,Droupadi, supreme among women, was delighted and all her miseries disappeared. She toldthe guards of the assembly hall, “Kichaka has been killed by my gandharva husbands. Helusted after another one’s wife. Come and see.”

__________________

Interesting part is Arjuna's reaction. Mind you, this is before Bheema or Panchali had a chance to update the rest on events. His reaction suggests he already knew what was going on. Actually, it seems even Uttara knew.

CE, Vol 4, 619 (23)

She saw mighty-armed Dhananjaya in the dancing hall. Hewas instructing Virata’s daughter in dancing. Emerging from the dancing hall with Arjuna,the maiden saw Krishna arrive, who had been molested though she had been innocent. Themaiden said, “O Sairandhri! It is fortunate that you have been freed. It is fortunate that youhave returned. Though you were innocent, you were molested and it is fortunate that thesutas who caused this have been slain.” Brihannada said, “O Sairandhri! How were you freed?How were those evil ones slain? I wish to hear everything exactly as it happened.”

Originally posted by: Sabhayata

Hmm i don't find Uttara and Arjuna part that surprising. By then a lot had happened. Everyone in the palace knew everything. I mean Kichaka was dead and every one knew that, Draupadi had already been dragged to be burnt alive, every one knew her Gandharava husband had killed the upakichaka's .Even the King by then had told his wife to tell Sarindhari i.e Draupadi to leave palace as he himself was so scared. So a lot had happened by then so Uttara and Arjuna would have been informed as well.

The tone of it is also another issue. W're talking about Uttara's uncle and cousins being killed. Arjuna doesn't hesitate in calling them evil in her presence. Actually, neither does she.

One of the other reasons I believe Arjuna knew is the mention of the invisible demon who guarded Panchali while in the palace. Bheema wasn't inside the palace. Only Arjuna was.

Panchali pushed Keechaka down and ran. tHEN, Then the insivisible demon whirled Keechaka around. i think it was Arjuna. A quick attack and escape before Keechaka could even see who it was, this buying Panchali time to escape.

But yeah, if shows portrayed the characters as they were, a lot of people would be shocked out of their minds. Yudhishtira's words to and about Panchali in the dice hall, his words to her in Virat's court... the man didn't deserve her, didn't deserve the empire.