WAS DRAUPADI IN LOVE WITH KARNA?

1. Karna and Draupadi

If Mahabharat has two characters who have received the most humiliation for no fault whatsoever, one is Draupadi and the other is Karna. Draupadi has longed for a husband who will have wisdom and moral values, will be strong and well built, a good archer, handsome and intelligent. Karna is the only character in Mahabharat who has all these qualities. The gods knew Draupadi's wish well ahead of time and gave all these qualities to one man. Also, all these qualities have been equally divided in Pandavas (Yudisthir for moral values, Bheem for physical strength, Arjun for archery, Nakul is handsome and Sahadev is the most intelligent).

2. Understanding Karna

Karna is the best archer (next to Eklavya) and Arjun is no match for him. Dronacharya knew that Karna is far superior than Arjun, hence he denies to teach him archery lessons. Bhisma knew that Karna is superior to Arjun and thus prevents him from entering the war during initial days. Its fate or destiny which parted Draupadi and Karna. He would have been a better 'only' husband for her than the five she got as he was as good as any of the pandavas when it came to virtues and valour.

3. Draupadi prevented Karna from Swyamvar

Draupadi herself prevented Karna from participating in the Swyamvar, calling him a Suta Putra (This insult by Draupadi was one of the reasons for her downfall in the court room where she was disrobed in public, leading to humiliation of Pandavas, reaping the seeds of war). Many years later, she learned from Krishna that Karna is not a suta putra but the eldest son of Kunti. To this, Draupadi regrets saying:

"If I had married him, I would not have been gambled away, publicly humiliated and called a whore. For he has all the qualities possessed by my 5 husbands."

4. So she ended up.........!!!!!

So she ended up marrying a man who shared her with his brothers and failed to protect her when she needed him the most.

5. Karna prevented the Cheer-Haran

There is another legend which says that its Karna who prevented the rape of Draupadi by Vasuki . Vasuki could only be pacified by the eldest Kunti-putra (Karna).

*But whether this fact is true or not, that's still not known. It's believed that most of the writers created this story to gain wealth and fame. But readers, this fact is nowhere mentioned in Vyasa's Mahabharat.

6. She was in Love with Karna

Draupadi has always favored Arjun but fortunately, Arjun was not happy with the fact that he has to share the prize he has won with 4 brothers. Arjun, on the other hand, favored Subhadra. Draupadi knew this too, which is why she starts having a soft corner for the next best archer, Karna.

7. Karna gives back to Draupadi

In the 12th day of the battle, Arjun had made a vow to kill Jayadrath (Duryodhan's brother in law). This is because Jayadrath was instrumental in holding off all the other 4 Pandavas in the first gate of "Chakravyuha" , which caused the death of Arjun's brave son, Abhimanyu.

8. Karna left Bheema...!!!!!

Since Arjun has made the vow that either he will kill Jayadrath or he will take "Agni Samadhi", Drona laid out this plan that by the time Arjuna is busy fighting Jayadrath, he can capture Yudisthir. Bheem was appointed the defence of Yudisthir and hence Duryodhan asks Karna to involve Bheem, so that Drona can capture Yudishthir. Karna challenges Bheem and fights bravely. He holds him through out the day. Bheem is superior to Karna in Gada (the mace) and Karna is superior to Bheem in archery. Hence, both of them decide to use a neutral weapon - the spear. At the end of the day, Karna succeeds in defeating Bheem and there comes a point when Bheem is armless and Karna holds his spear towards Bheem's neck. But Karna decides not to kill Bheem.

There is an other version which says that Karna and Bheem fought using bow and arrow. It was a very tough battle for both of them even though people thought Bheem was not that good at archery.

9. Why Karna left Draupadi

There are two reasons why he doesn't kill Bheem, despite having all the options to do so. 1. Karna has given his word to Kunti, that his 5 sons will remain alive. If he kills Bheem, he can't kill Arjun. 2. If Karna kills Bheem, he would do injustice to Draupadi's unstrangled hair. Draupadi has taken a vow that until and unless someone brings the blood of Dushasan's heart and wets her hair, she will never tie her hair. Bheem has made a vow that he will kill Dushasan and bring his hearts blood to Draupadi. If he kills Bheem in this battle, he will do injustice to Draupadi.

10. Karna saved Draupadi from Vasuki...

Furthermore, Karna had earlier protected Draupadi from Vasuki and then Draupadi had touched his feet saying:

"Hey Angraj Karna, please forgive me for my innocence for unfairly denying you participation in my wedding competition and calling you "Suta Putra", I take back my words .Today you have protected my modesty. After Shree Krishna, it is you who have protected my modesty and hence, you have risen to a Godly level in my heart. I, panchali, the wife of Pandavas, the daughter of Drupad, the sister of Dhristadhumnya, the mother of 5 brave sons, respect you to equal level of my husbands."

11. What Karna Said.....!!

"Hey Devi, hey Annapurna, hey Kalyani, forgive me too, for I had insulted you in the courtroom. I was blind in the agony of revenge and I didn't realize your worth. Please forgive me too. I will ensure justice is done to your hair."

12. Draupadi Loves become manifold for the Karna...!!

Karna decides to walk away and not kill Bheem. When Draupadi learns that Karna had spared the life of Bheem, her love and respect for Karna is magnified.