In Hindu mythology, few women stand out as much as the character of Draupadi. Draupadi is the wife of the five Pandava princes in the Hindu epic the Mahabharata; she is a heroine who is unpredictable, unwavering and who could also possess the austerity of a traditional Hindu wife.
Many see Draupadi as an early feminist because of her fearlessness in admonishing those who harmed her or her family. Draupadi existed in a time when a woman’s role was to serve her husband.
As Dr. Vanamala Bhawalkar states, “in Draupadi’s Era, there was no question of women’s equality with men. The wife was the counterpart of her husband and both together became a complete person.
As Milton had said “He for God and she for the God in him” was true in those days.” The unique relationship between Draupadi and her husbands is what makes her story so exceptional.
Draupadi, the wife of the mighty Pandava brothers was anything but a conventional wife; she was smart, bold and would often lead her husbands into action.
There are few women that compete with the beauty of Draupadi; all those who met her adored her. Her beauty was so great that she delighted all of the human senses. Alf Hiltbeitel states this of her beauty: “The very sight of her was magnetic due to her irresistible beauty and fragrance”.
Draupadi’s beauty would gain her much attention, but it is her ability to balance her beauty with the desirable traits of a wife that gains her such devotion.
However, as Bhawalkar notes, it was not only her beauty that won her praise: “Yudhisthira said that she was such that any man would desire and that she never committed any sin.
Bhima equaled her to the ancient famous wives. Her mother-in-law Kunti praised her for her virtues and her laudable behavior with all her husbands”. Draupadi was as skilled in the arts of being a woman, and everything that was associated with womanhood, as she was gifted in beauty.
Her opinions were well respected and supported by her family due to her vast knowledge of many subjects. Unlike many women in her era, Draupadi’s father, Drupada, allowed Draupadi to be educated. Bhawalkar comments on Draupadi’s education: “Drupada had engaged learned Brahmanas for the education of his sons.
Draupadi also joined them and became an expert in Political Science”. It is possible that the unique qualities that Draupadi possessed, such as strength and audacity, are a result of being educated.
Having such a complete education would have given Draupadi a sense of confidence unfamiliar to most women. Also, Draupadi was quick to learn and thirsted for knowledge; she had a keen memory and vast knowledge of many subjects.
Of all the parts in the Mahabharata that include Draupadi, the story of Draupadi’s Cheer-Haran remains the most vivid. This is an important event because it is one of the main reasons for the Mahabharata war, and it is also a breaking point for Draupadi.
The climax of this event is when Draupadi is dragged into court after Yudhisthira loses her in a bet to the Kauravas, along with all of his wealth and kingdom. The character Dushsasana, one of the Kaurava brothers, attempts to strip off Draupadi’s sari.
However, Draupadi prays to Krsna and he works a miracle to prevent her sari from running out of layers. Draupadi is humiliated by this and is angered by the Pandava's inability or reluctance to help her.
It is her reaction to this abhorrence that we see Draupadi’s bravery, as she reprimands those around her in the court. It is Draupadi’s ability to overcome adversity in a venerable manner that sets her apart from other women.
The story revolves around the tumultuous events leading up to Draupadi's public humiliation in the Hastinapur court. Duryodhana, consumed by jealousy towards the Pandavas, orchestrates a deceitful gambling match where Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava, loses everything, including his brothers and Draupadi.
In a shocking display of cruelty, Draupadi is dragged into the court and subjected to severe insults and attempts to disrobe her. The assembly, filled with renowned warriors and scholars, remains paralyzed by fear and inaction.
Draupadi, in despair, calls upon Krishna for help. Miraculously, her sari replenishes itself each time Dushasana tries to remove it. Witnessing this horrific ordeal, Bhima, the second Pandava, vows to drink Dushasana's blood and break Duryodhana's thigh in revenge.
The assembly is stunned by his fierce oath. Despite attempts by Vidura and others to intervene, the Kauravas remain adamant, further fueling the animosity between the two families.
Draupadi, with unwavering dignity, refuses to accept her fate as a slave and demands to be acknowledged as a free woman. The Pandavas, bound by their promise to Yudhishthira, remain silent.
Ultimately, Dhritharashtra, the king, intervenes, freeing the Pandavas from slavery and granting Draupadi a few boons. The incident leaves a deep scar on the Pandavas and Draupadi, igniting a fierce desire for revenge.
This event serves as a pivotal moment in the Mahabharata, setting the stage for the epic battle between the Kauravas and Pandavas. The narrative highlights the stark contrast between the virtuous Pandavas and the deceitful Kauravas.
Draupadi emerges as a symbol of resilience and strength, while the assembly's inaction exposes the moral decay prevalent in the kingdom. This excerpt from the Mahabharata offers a glimpse into the complex characters and intricate plot that have captivated audiences for centuries.
The princess was sent into the forest, and Draupadi followed her husbands like a dutiful wife. She walked the difficult terrain of jungles, ate the simplest of food, and yet never deterred from her path of wifely duties.
The episodes centered around her during the stay of the Pandavas in the forests are powerful anecdotes for women and people in general, as examples of morality, grace in character, and resilience in the face of adversity.
According to a popular narrative once when the hut of Pandavas in the jungle was visited by the great sage Durvasa and his students. The sage was known for his seething anger and propensity to curse people who disrespected him even slightly, in rage.
Draupadi was known to possess an Akshaya Paatra (pot of plenty) which gave unending food to anyone who visited her home. The pot only stopped when Draupadi had eaten for the day.
That day, she was done with her meal, and seeing the sage visit her, Draupadi feared that she had nothing to offer him and his students. Finally, seeing no solution to her problem, Draupadi prayed to Krishna and the Lord appeared. Having listened to her trouble, Krishna smiled and took one rice left in the pot and ate it.
Since the Lord, who was the home of the entire Universe (whose part was Durvasa and his students as well), had eaten, miraculously, the sage and his followers felt as if they had eaten a hearty meal. With the benevolence of Krishna, Draupadi was able to look after the sage and was blessed by him.
Jayadratha was the husband of Duryodhana’s sister Duhshala. Once while passing through the forest in which the Pandavas lived with Panchali, he saw the beautiful Draupadi and was instantly enamored by her. He asked her to leave her husbands for him, and when she refused, Jayadratha abducted her.
In the end, he was stopped and caught by the Pandavas, who as a punishment shaved his head in five places and sent him back, without harming him further, as he was the husband of their cousin's sister.
Keechak-Sairendhri by Raja Ravi Varma (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The troubles of the Panchala princess did not seem to stop. As a condition of Pandava’s defeat in the game of dice, they had to spend an additional year in Agyatvaasa, where they could not reveal their identity.
The five brothers and Draupadi found residence in the kingdom of Viraat Raja, where the princess of Panchala had to become the handmaid of the queen. Disguised as Sairendhri, Draupadi braved the troubles of Agyaatvaasa, where she also had to face the advances of the queen’s brother- Keechaak.
In the famous painting of Raja Ravi Varma titled “Keechak-Sairendhri”, we can feel the pain of Draupadi, trying to hide and protect herself from the prince. After learning about the incident, Bheema, who is known for his devoted love for Draupadi, kills Keechak and only after a great trouble, saves Draupadi.
To say that Draupadi’s life was filled with obstacles, pain, and testing situations would be an understatement. Disrespected, disrobed, attacked, removed from her home, and made to serve others while being the wife of five of the most powerful men on earth, Draupadi never let the situation break her.
Whatever the pain was, however strong the humiliation was, she chose to face it, while showing her anger and frustration without holding anything back. In her character, people discovered that one need not be a god to become great, which is why, she established herself as a separate deified entity, a unique goddess.
In many regions of India, local mother goddess cults included the personality of Draupadi while in other areas, the cult of Draupadi emerged as a popular tradition.
The most prominent worship of Draupadi as a goddess is found in the Draupadi Amman cult, primarily practiced by the Pallis or Vanniyar Kula Kshatriyas communities in South India.
Here, she is revered as a village goddess, protector, and source of power.
👉 Draupadi as Shakti : In this tradition, Draupadi is often equated with the primordial goddess Shakti, the divine feminine energy. Her story is reinterpreted, emphasizing her role as a cosmic force rather than a mere mortal.
👉 Terukuttu : The Draupadi Amman cult has its own distinct rituals, including the Terukkuttu, a dramatic performance of the Mahabharata episodes. This performance is a crucial part of the Draupadi Amman festival, where her story is re-enacted to evoke devotion and reverence.
👉 In some villages, fire-walking ritual performances or Thimithi are done in honor of Mother Draupadi while other celebrations such as Bangalore Karaga worship Draupadi alongside Dharamraja Yuddhisthira, associating her with the great goddess Parvati.
The worship of Draupadi is a testament to the enduring power of mythology and the human need for divine figures. It is her human nature that makes her popular and divine for her followers.
Having gone through every test life has to offer, to the point where her sons were sacrificed in the war of Kurukshetra, Draupadi is probably one of the most complete feminine icons, who embodies beauty and rage in equal parts.
Questioning authority in a court full of men of high ranks, Draupadi set an example for modern women.
No wonder, that even with no traditional source calling her an incarnation of any goddess, Draupadi continues to be compared to Lakshmi, Durga, Kali, and Parvati, and her popularity as a feminist icon only seems to grow with time.
Key TakeawaysDraupadi, a prominent figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata, is considered the first feminist of Indian Hindu mythology due to her strong and assertive character.Draupadi was a woman who fought against the patriarchal norms of her time and was vocal about her opinions and desires.Her character was one of the most complex and multi-faceted characters in the Mahabharata, with qualities such as bravery, intelligence, and compassion.Draupadi's swayamvara, where she chose her own husband, was a defining moment in her life that challenged traditional gender roles.Draupadi's experience of being publicly humiliated and disrobed in court, and her subsequent anger and call for justice, highlights the issues of gender-based violence and patriarchal oppression that still exist in society today.Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, Draupadi remained resilient and fought for her rights and dignity until the very end.Draupadi's story serves as an inspiration to women everywhere, encouraging them to speak up and fight against the injustices and inequalities that they face.
Key Takeaways
Draupadi, a prominent figure in the Indian epic Mahabharata, is considered the first feminist of Indian Hindu mythology due to her strong and assertive character.
Draupadi was a woman who fought against the patriarchal norms of her time and was vocal about her opinions and desires.
Her character was one of the most complex and multi-faceted characters in the Mahabharata, with qualities such as bravery, intelligence, and compassion.
Draupadi's swayamvara, where she chose her own husband, was a defining moment in her life that challenged traditional gender roles.
Draupadi's experience of being publicly humiliated and disrobed in court, and her subsequent anger and call for justice, highlights the issues of gender-based violence and patriarchal oppression that still exist in society today.
Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles, Draupadi remained resilient and fought for her rights and dignity until the very end.
Draupadi's story serves as an inspiration to women everywhere, encouraging them to speak up and fight against the injustices and inequalities that they face.
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