Destiny of Draupadi

Draupadi – the princess of panchala, the uninvited child, did not have the conventional upbringing. Though everybody in the palace including her father and Dhai Ma tried their best to teach her the tasks, a girl is expected to be efficient in. Her brother, Dhri was a constant support to her. Dhri talked to her about the matters, others would never have. Soon the time arrived when Draupadi was to be married. Unlike other girls she was given the chance to select her better half, in the swayamvar being organised by her father. The final decision was though left to the fate, as only few could complete the task at the swayamvar.

Draupadi from the time of her birth was being prepared for the situations which were to come in her life ahead. While she was being acquainted with the kings, who were to come to her swayamvar; she was hoplessely attracted to the portrait of karna (the king of Anga, the chariot son). Seeing such desires in the eyes of Draupadi for karna, infuriated Krishna. Draupadi says:

                                            “ Heat rose to my face. Did Krishna want to be one of my suitors? I’d never thought of that possibility. All these years he’d been to me as the air I breathed—indispensable and unconsidered. But today I sensed that there was more to him than the jesting self he’d chosen, until now, to reveal to me. This new Krishna, his eyes stern with anger, his voice like an arrow—I was certain he could pass the swayamvar test if he wished it.

How would it be to have him as my husband? An uneasiness rose in me as I turned the thought around in my mind. I loved him— but not in that way.”

Later she was shown the portraits of pandva brothers. Draupadi had no say in the decisions of her life. It was all destined. Moreover everybody around made sure that her decisions move her towards her predefined destiny. Draupadi says:

          How I longed to speak to Dhai Ma of that other, forbidden name: Karna.

Draupadi’s eyes always searched for karna, even after marrying to the five pandvas. She left no opportunity to have a look at him. Though such feelings were never reciprocated by karna. Draupadi favoured Arjun the most among five pandavs but carried more affection for Karna. Though this affection for Karna was never made public. We could say that the destiny presented her Arjun but her choice would have been Karna, if she was given a chance to decide.

Resourse: the pallace of illusion by Chitra Lekha and Banerjee Divakaruni