citation on Draupadi's presence in the war camp:The fourteenth night of the dark fortnight. A huge circular field of five yojans was the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Here on either bark of Hiranyavati river were the Kaurav and Pandav camps. The ominous silence preceding a storm prevailed all around. After the night the rays of the dawn would shine on Kurukshetra. The great war would begin. My dear brother, Dhrishtadyumna, was the commander-in-chief of the Pandavs. Grandfather Bhishma was the chief commander of the Kauravs. My presence in the Pandav camp was absolutely necessary. For I was their wife, their inspiration. With victory marks placed on their foreheads by me, after looking upon my auspicious face, they would embark on battle every day. However, after this I would depart for the secure tents made for the stay of women. Therefore, without me the Pandavs would become powerless. In my subconscious mind pride was lurking. It was natural for any woman to have such pride. My husbands had more than one beautiful wife. My dearest husband, Arjun, had among his many wives the sister of sakha Krishna, Subhadra, too. But here no necessity had arisen for their presence. So I was the best among all these wives, incomparable in my chastity despite having married five husbands. My mind's pride was being reflected on my face. Laughing, sakha said, "Sakhi, I have been watching you since evening. You are looking most thrilled. Not a trace of fear or apprehension. Are you not terrified of war?" Proudly I said, "I am a kshatriya woman! Moreover, I have husbands. Is it improper to hold the belief that all will be well with my husbands? After all, it is faith that is the key to success..."
Pratibha Ray ( ). Yajnaseni: The Story of Draupadi (Kindle Locations 5226-5237). . Kindle Edition.
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