Draupadi

Dear Children,

To read about the story of the Mahabharata, in a nutshell, click here.

I would like to introduce to you some of the characters in a little more detail.

Let us meet Draupadi. Draupadi was born of a holy fire, when her father Drupada performed a Yajna (Sacrifice). Draupadi was beautiful and virtuous. She was devoted to Krishna. Krishna lovingly called her 'sakhi' (friend). Draupadi married the Pandavas and became the queen of Hastinapura. Later in life, due to difficult circumstances, Draupadi, , became a maid servant to an Empress. But her faith in Krishna remained unchanged. And you know what, Krishna never let her down.

Once, Krishna's finger was hurt and it started to bleed. While Krishna's wives ran to look for a bandage, Draupadi tore a piece of her valuable saree, to use as a bandage for Krishna's finger. In exchange for that piece of cloth Krishna miraculously produced yards and yards of cloth, to conceal Draupadi's body, when she was being disrobed, by the Kauravas, after the Pandavas lost Draupadi in a game of dice.

Allow me to explain to you, how the above came to pass. Though the Mahabharata narrates many lives woven into one another, the predominant story is of 2 brothers and their families. Dhritrashtra and Pandu were brothers. Pandu had 5 sons who are popularly known as Pandavas. Dhriraashtra had 100 sons. They were called the Kauravas. Pandu died and the Pandavas and Kauravas were brought up together. The Kauravas were always jealous of the Pandavas. Kaurava's maternal uncle Shakuni played a crucial role in the story of the Mahabhaarata.

The Pandavas performed a great sacrifice (Yajna) which made Duryodhana, the chief of the Kauravas jealous and greedy. Shakuni invited the Pandavas for a game of dice and cheated in the game. The Pandavas lost all their possessions including Draupadi, their wife. The Kauravas wanted to humiliate the Pandavas and hence dragged Draupadi to the main hall and tried to disrobe her in public. She implored to Krishna who she affectionately called 'Sakha'(friend). Krishna came to her rescue and miraculously kept Draupadi clothed, despite the fact that the Kauravas kept pulling at her saree. 

Draupadi's faith in Krishna never wavered even though she went through very difficult times.

Dear Children, you might tell me, that you, would have also looked after Krishna when his finger bled. But where, to find Krishna now? You know what? You will find Krishna in anyone and everyone. So next time, you look after someone in need, remain assured, that you have performed the deed for Krishna. And then remain doubly sure that Krishna will not let you down at your hour of need.

With love,
Dadi-Ma Nani-Ma