The whole court room fell silent after witnessing such a miraculous moment .Everyone had realised that God himself protected Draupadi from the humiliation .Dushassana lay on the floor unconscious and exhausted ,Duryodhana and the other Kauravas dumbstruck and speechless ,and the elders and the Pandavas highly grateful for Krishna's divine intervention. Draupadi stood silently ,her eyes still closed as if she was thanking him wholeheartedly for his timely intervention and his protection .
As she opened her eyes ,she glared back at the Kauravas and Duryodhana ,who dared to humiliate her and attempted to disrobe her openly .She glared back at Shakuni with a fierce intensity ,because of whom the Pandavas were fooled and had lost everything , including their dignity, themselves and her .
She took a deep breath and started speaking out , her voice booming across the court room wildly as a fire .
"Shame on this whole court of Hastinapur ! Shame on everyone ! The gods shall never forgive Duryodhana and his brothers for their actions !" She paused ,as she stared back at him with anger "Duryodhana ,you thought that you could humiliate me in front of everyone . But I am being protected by the lord of Dwarka himself .You have crossed your limits today by humiliating a chaste lady ,the daughter in law of the famed Kuru Dynasty ,the princess of a powerful kingdom ."
She looked around ,her gaze roaming on the ones who had laughed at her misery while she was being dragged by her hair , who had watched her keenly while she was being disrobed .
"Each and every person here has failed to be a perfect warrior , a Kshatriya .When you all can't protect a lady in distress , how can you all claim yourselves as valiant warriors ? Shame on this whole court ! Today ,this famed Kuru Dynasty has incurred a huge sin by insulting a woman in front of a court .The Gods will surely punish the Kauravas for their evil deeds !" She paused and took a deep breath before uttering the next statements "I was born from the sacred fire ,with the blessings of the Gods and sages .But today I have been treated as a slave , as a property .Therefore I , Draupadi , daughter of king Drupada , princess of Panchala , daughter-in-law of king Pandu , wife of the Pandavas and queen of Indrprastha , curses this whole dynasty of Kuru that...." Before she could complete the sentence ,she was stopped by Dhritarashtra instantly .
"No Draupadi ! Please, don't utter the curse that sits upon your tongue . Have mercy on us , daughter , I beg of you ." The blind king pleaded , his voice trembling with fear .
"What do you think you are ? Do you think you are in a position to say whatever you want to ? I'll teach you a lesson .I'll disrobe you myself , and let me see how that cowherd comes and helps you !" He snarled , but was immediately stopped by his father .
"No Duryodhana , no ! You have done enough ! Shame on me that I sat silently all the while .Shame on me that I let such dreadful events to happen ." Dhritarashtra paused and spoke slowly "Draupadi ,dear daughter .I beg forgiveness from you . Ask any boon , without any hesitation and it shall be yours ."
Draupadi looked at him , her eyes red rimmed with the tears of humiliation and pain which she had gone through "Oh king ... you wish to grant me a boon , but can you remove the pain and misery which has been caused to me today ? Can you heal the humiliation which has been caused today , by your sons ? The way how Dushassana dragged me by my hair and threw me on the floor in front of everyone like an object , the way how I was forced to hear humiliating words from Duryodhana , and the way how they attempted to disrobe me , do you have any remedy for any of these ? Do you have an answer for my sufferings ?". No one could answer to what Draupadi said , not even the king himself. All the elders , including the Pandavas , hung their heads low in guilt and shame .The whole court remained silent.
Then Draupadi spoke up again slowly "But if you desire to grant my wish truly , then I want you to restore the dignity and wealth of the sons of Pandu .I want you to return everything to them , whatever they had lost in the treacherous game ."
"So be it , so be it ! I'll return everything to them . Ask something for yourself , daughter ." Dhritarashtra asked .
"No , I don't want anything . A warrior's wife never asks anything for herself .She is always selfless ." She replied firmly .
Duryodhana's face twisted with anger and rage "This is not fair ! Father , how can you return everything just like that ?" he shouted .Vidura stood up immediately and folded his hands together as he looked at Duryodhana pleadingly and desperately "Son , have mercy on our dynasty and on our family .Don't cross your boundaries and don't disappoint the Gods ."
There was silence for a moment , when suddenly soft murmurs and gossips of the other Kaurava brothers filled in the court room "Draupadi is like a life saving boat for the Pandavas .They got everything back , because of her .Or else they are useless."
I felt my blood boiling with anger , as I watched the scene .The Kauravas were relentlessly provoking the Pandavas .What was their problem ? Can't they just leave them alone , after so much has happened ? I saw Shakuni's face , twisting with a malicious grin .He cleared his throat and spoke in a smooth tone "Ah ,Yudhishthira .Why don't we play an another match ? If you win , you'll get back all of your wealth and even your dignity ."
"And what if I lose again ?" He asked in a low tone .
"Then you must leave everything behind and go for an exile of 12 years at the forest .With one year of hidden exile, of course ." Shakuni replied, his gaze fixed on Yudhishthira and rest of his brothers intently .
Draupadi's gaze drifted towards Yudhishthira, her eyes filled with a pleading and desperate request .
"No Dharmaraj ! Please don't accept this .This is treachery and they are trying to trick us again .Refuse it, I beg of you ."
"Brother, Panchali is right .Look at her eyes , she has already gone through a lot .Please , don't accept it ." Bhima whispered to him , pleadingly .
"Yes Brother , they are cheating us .Refuse it straight forwardly and let us go from here ." Arjuna too said , his eyes burning with the pain of humiliation .Yudhishtir sat silently , completely and utterly speechless .He knew that his brothers and his wife, all were suffering from humiliation and pain .But he wanted to regain everything, whatever he had loss .
Shakuni was clearly pleased after sensing the inner turmoil going on in Yudhishthira's mind .He cleared his throat again and spoke in a husky tone "Think about it, Yudhishthira .You can get everything back, by just winning this one little game .Your wealth and honour will be restored, there will be peace again, and then you can leave for your kingdom happily .What could be more better than that ?"
The rest of his brothers and Draupadi pleaded to him and begged him to refuse, while Shakuni coaxed him and encouraged him to play, his tone low and persuasive .
Despite his brother's insistence and Draupadi's plea, Yudhishthira unfortunately agreed to play .He had a weakness for playing the game of dice, and Shakuni was clearly exploiting this weakness of his .And as the match begun again, he whispered to his dice secretly and threw it on the game board.
His dice was filled with evil powers , and it fulfilled whatever he wished for .
The final match concluded, resulting in the victory of the Kauravas .The Pandavas were doomed now .They had to leave everything and live in the forest from now on .
"Go ! Leave everything and live in the forest as beggars !" Duryodhana shouted and mocked at them, as he was very satisfied with their downfall .The elders sat silently, knowing that Duryodhana's actions would surely lead to the destruction of the Kuru dynasty .
The Pandavas stood up, their suppressed anger and rage clearly palpable. But before departing, Bhimsena's voice thundered across the room like lightning "Mark my words ! I shall break the bones of every Kaurava who laughed at our downfall , who laughed at Panchali's humiliation .I shall the tear the limbs and hands of Dushassana, who dragged her and humiliated her .That's my vow of revenge !"
"And I won't bind my hair from now onwards .I shall only tie it, after washing my tresses with Dushassana's blood ." Draupadi added, her eyes blazing with fierce determination and anger .
After glancing at the whole court for the last time with a fierce intensity, the Pandavas along with Draupadi stormed out .Duryodhana, Shakuni and the other Kaurava princes were overjoyed after witnessing their victory, while the elders were highly disappointed and anxious about the future that was to come .
As they stepped out of the palace, I observed them intently - Yudhishthira had covered his face with a cloth, knowing that his eyes burning with rage would destroy the kingdom of Hastinapur. Bhima flexes his muscles which were restless to break the bones of those who humiliated them, Arjuna took some sand in his hand and trailed it behind him, indicating a promise of millions of arrows that would fall upon the wrongdoers. Nakula covered his face with mud, hiding his handsomeness and Sahadeva painted his face black, in shame .And Draupadi let her long, thick hair loose, indicating her vow of revenge .
I slowly slipped away from there, to a secluded garden .I took Krishna's golden flute in my hand, knowing that I had to return back to Dwarka .I played the flute again and felt myself standing at one of the palace gardens in Dwarka .The place was calm and serene, completely opposite to the chaos in the court of Hastinapur which I had just witnessed. I adjusted my attire and walked through the palace corridors, towards the main hall .
"Godha, where were you all this time ?" Devaki exclaimed as she saw me entering the place .
"Yes, we were worried for you .You were no where to be seen at the palace ." Rukmini chimed in .
"Oh, I had just gone to the temple for sometime, and then to the gardens .Why, what happened ?" I asked them, composing myself .
"Dwarka is safe, Godha ! Krishna has defeated Shalva and his army with much ease ." Devaki said .Rukmini smiled and nodded in agreement "Yes, lord along with the other Yadava warriors are returning back to the palace. We were preparing for his arrival .Would you like to join us in the preparations ?"
I smiled and nodded enthusiastically, when suddenly I heard footsteps coming from outside .I turned to look and saw Krishna, entering the main hall with a confident and a commanding stance .He always had a little smile playing on his lips, but now he wasn't like that .His face was serious and worried, even though he didn't show it out that much .He simply came and touched Devaki's feet slowly .
"Son, I am glad that you are safe .You protected Dwarka like you always do .Are you unharmed ?" Devaki spoke softly as she stroked his hair, and showing her motherly concern .Krishna smiled softly, assuring her that he was well .
"My lord, please come in and rest for a while .You must be very exhausted ." Rukmini said softly.
"No Vaidarbhi, I can't. I have to go soon ." Krishna replied in a low, serious voice. Both Devaki and Rukmini's face turned worried .
"But why, what happened ?" Both of them asked urgently, when suddenly there was a commotion outside .A woman entered into the main hall hurriedly, her eyes red rimmed with tears .It was Subhadra, with her unborn baby in her womb .
"Oh brother ! Why is this all happening ? Why is fate so cruel to us ?" She cried as she fell down near his feet .Everyone present at the hall became shocked as they saw her .
Krishna kneeled down and held Subhadra in his arms, wiping away her tears gently "What is wrong Subhadra ? Tell me everything." He gently guided her towards the couch .Rukmini, Devaki and the other women sat beside her , giving her a glass of water and comforting her .After a moment's silence, she spoke up in a trembling voice "The Kauravas have cheated the Pandavas in a game of dice, and they have snatched all the wealth and power, even their kingdom from them .And...and Draupadi..." she paused, her lips trembling .
"What happened to her, Subhadra ?" Rukmini urged anxiously .
"Draupadi...Draupadi was being dragged towards the court by her hair and Duryodhana commanded his brother to disrobe her publicly ." She stammered nervously .All the women present there became shocked and angry as they heard her .Krishna's face darkened in anger and rage, his jaws clenched "Duryodhana has crossed his limits ..." he growled in a low tone.
"Then what happened ?" Devaki asked worriedly .
"Draupadi was saved from a big humiliation, thanks to brother Krishna .He protected not only her honour and dignity, but the dignity of the whole woman race ." Subhadra spoke, with tears of gratitude as she looked at Krishna .All the women present there folded their hands in gratitude, thanking him wholeheartedly .
I stepped forward and clasped my hands together as well "Dwarkadhish, you are the saviour and protector of the innocent ." I said softly .Krishna's eyes turned towards me, as he smiled at me warmly "That's my duty, princess Godha, to protect Dharma and the innocent all over the world ."
Saying this, he turned towards Subhadra "Where are they now ?"
"They are in the forests, at the hermitage of the sages .But what about Draupadi's children ?" Subhadra asked worriedly .Krishna smiled softly and stroked her hair gently "Don't worry dear sister .I'll take care of them .Draupadi's children will be taken care by my queens and I shall see to it that they get trained up well as valiant warriors, including your son ." He stood up, his movement fluid and purposeful and gestured the others to take care of her .
"I'll go and visit them right away." He spoke and turned away .I trotted after him and called out "Dwarkadhish ,can I also accompany you ?"
Krishna turned around, smiling warmly and beckoned me to come .
****************************************************************************
We reached the forest and as we proceeded deeper into it, we saw a group of sages standing in a circle, lost in a deep discussion .As they noticed Krishna's commanding presence, they parted sideways and allowed us to enter the hermitage .
The Pandavas were sitting in silence, their heads hung low in desperation and pain from their humiliation .Draupadi too was sitting at a corner, her long black tresses cascading down on the floor like a river .She was the first one to notice us, and as she did...she came running towards us and fell down towards his feet .She grasped his legs, and wept heavily .
(Credits to the creator ð)
Krishna took a deep, heavy breath and kneeled down slowly. He touched her forehead, on a wounded spot .He wept for her and wept with her. He pacified her, comforted her by his soothing, nectarine words .And all the while, the Pandavas stood silently, unable to start any conversation .They were well aware that Krishna was not pleased with their actions .
After a few moments of silence, Bhimasena came forward and spoke in a low, husky voice "We have still time .We can go back to Hastinapur and fight the Kauravas for our wealth and freedom ."
Krishna turned towards him, his demeanour calm yet stern "How can you do that ? You have given them the word of exile in the forest .You can't break your word ."
"But it was brother Yudhishthira's fault, he only played the gambling match, and he never even listened to our requests. He can go for the exile alone, while we all go and fight for our rights !" Bhima argued in return .
Krishna's eyes blazed with an intensity and slight anger "Yudhishthira's fault ? Do you think this is his fault alone, and you all are not to be blamed for it ? Then why the rest of you didn't take any action ? Who asked you all to accept such an invitation from them ? Brother Bhima, what were you doing when Panchali was being dragged so ruthlessly to the court ? Why didn't you protect her when she screamed for help and when Dushassana disrobed her ?And Arjuna ...you were always so fond of your valour .Why did you sit silent ? Why didn't the rest of you brothers do anything about it, if Yudhishthira is solely to be blamed ?" He questioned them, his words sharp as a sword .The brothers couldn't reply anything to his question .
Krishna paused and continued slowly "Don't blame each other for what has happened .Whatever has happened, has happened .Let us not talk about the past anymore and let us focus on the future ."
Arjuna stepped forward slowly "Then what are we supposed to do now, Madhava ?"
"Accept the exile of 12 years, including one year of hidden exile .Keeping your word is Dharma ." Krishna replied calmly .
"But they have seized all of our wealth and resources by treachery .And what about the humiliation which we all faced ?" Nakula protested .
"And they'll stop at nothing to destroy us completely ." Sahadeva added .
Krishna sensed the anger boiling in his cousins, but he remained calm with his disarming smile on his lips .That was the most wonderful and beautiful thing that I liked about my Kanha - he never lost his patience, even when the situations were worse .And it clearly showed how he had trained his mind.
He was not only a warrior , a god or a lover ...but also a powerful yogi who knew how to keep everything in control , including the emotions of the people around him.
"Whatever you all are complaining about, are things which are to be focused only after the exile .For now, let us prepare for the upcoming future ahead .Focus on the present moment and stop worrying about the future .All will be well ." He comforted everyone in his melodious voice and suddenly gave me a sideways glance .I realised that he was also trying to convey me something personally, and something big was waiting for me to happen .But what could it be ? Only time will tell .