Story: The Hermit's Destiny

I opened my eyes to a beautiful day. My little hut might not be impressive to many, but it is my home, and I will never regret the decisions I’ve made that brought me here. Something felt different about today, but I didn’t think anything of it and got up from my cot to grab clothes that were drying outside. The sun didn’t shine as bright as it usually did and the birds that sang every morning sang a sadder tune. I thought nothing of it and continued on with my daily routine.

I walked over to the river that ran beside my hut and freshened up for the day ahead. A hermit's life was one full of peace and meditation. Not much happened day to day and my primary duty was to teach the children of the nearby village. As I was drying off, I had the sudden urge to meditate because I had a feeling destiny was about to catch up to me, so I chose a quiet spot under a nearby tree. I don’t know how long I sat under that tree but when I felt I had spent enough time, I walked back over to my hut for some breakfast.

As I continued on throughout the morning, I didn’t understand my feelings from earlier but decided not to think anything of it. I checked to make sure I had all my teaching supplies and headed out to the village. When I opened the door, I noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere. The day had gotten brighter and there was a sweet scent in the air

“Why not take the longer way?” I thought to myself. The longer way wound through the forest and, given the great weather, it would be a shame to not appreciate the beauty of nature. I remember the first time I walked through this forest, the solitude of nature was what convinced me to become a hermit and devote myself to this religious discipline. I was so confident about my path then, and again today, I got the same feeling deep in my soul as I continued to let my feet lead me along the path. The quiet of the forest and the sound of my footsteps were interrupted by sounds of someone sobbing.

“How strange,” I thought. In all the decades I had lived here, I had never known another person to take this way. I assumed I was the only one knew about this path in the forest. I decided to follow the sound, and came across a beautiful woman I had ever met. As a hermit, I had given up all fleshly desires but even gods would recognize this woman as gorgeous. She quickly looked up in fear when she heard me walking towards her.

When she straightened and moved her arms away, I noticed she was pregnant. From the look of it, I guessed she was due any day, but why was she here in the forest then?

“Do not worry. I won’t hurt you. I’m a hermit that lives down the river,” I said.

“I’m sorry to bother you, sir. I was abandoned here by my husband who thinks I have been unfaithful to him. I have never been with anyone else, but he wouldn’t believe me. Now I’m left here with no one to help me or the sons in my womb,” she said with great sadness in her voice.

I reassured her that I would be able to help. I gently helped her stand and supported her arm as we walked to the village. I knew this was the day I met destiny and my purpose. I was to help this woman and her sons.

The hermit teaching Sita's sons

Author's Note: When Rama and Sita come back to their kingdom, they are able to resume their lives. However, although Rama was convinced of Sita's purity, the rest of the kingdom was not. So in his kingly duty of putting his kingdom first, he banished his beloved and pregnant wife into the forest. When she was left there for dead, some holy men found her and helped her through her pregnancy. One hermit in particular stood by the single mother and her twin boys. He taught the boys how to be great men and showed them how to sing praises to Rama.
I always thought this part of Rama and Sita's story was so sad. Since this is my third time experiencing this story, I noticed little details I had missed before. One of the big things that caught my attention was the hermit that helped her. I started to think hwo great it was that he just so happened to be there to help her. It was as if he was meant to be there for her. I wanted to follow through with that idea. I imagine the hours leading up to the moment he saw her was just another day to a normal person, but I think he knew he was about to do something great.

Bibliography: Sita Sings the Blues

Story: The Dangerous Flower

The court was divided with some favoring the Kurus and others on the side of the Pandava brothers. Duryodhana sat on his throne laughing at the Pandavas' humiliation. Finally, he was able to get his revenge. The crowd turned their attention to Draupadi, who had just been dragged in. So many in the court started spouting insults and some went as far as spitting on her.

“Enough,” Duryodhana’s voice boomed in the giant courtroom. “Yudhishthira sold this woman, so now she is mine. I want her taken to my chambers,” Duryodhana turned to address Draupadi directly. “You will wait for me there. I expect you to be cleaned up and presentable by the time I arrive.”

Draupadi looked up to her husbands for help. However, none of them could muster the courage to meet her gaze. Tears started streaming down Draupadi's face and she dropped her head in sorrow as the guards led her to Duryodhana’s room. When she arrived at the dimly lit room, all she could make out was a giant wooden desk that stood in front of the library that lined the wall. She turned her head and saw the monstrous bed that took up most of the room. As soon as she saw it, fear gripped her heart. The guards left and she ran to look out the window, hoping she could escape, but the only thing on the other side was a great cliff. Draupadi fell to the ground and sobbed. She repeatedly called out to Krishna for help. When she uncovered her eyes, she saw something in the corner of the grand table that looked like a plant she had once heard about. She knew the properties its leaves held and suddenly Draupadi jumped up with a plan ready.

Draupadi in the court

Draupadi went to the door and asked the guard to fetch her some water. A servant returned with a pitcher of water and two gold cups. Draupadi rolled her eyes at the cups thinking they were too over the top, but still thanked the servant and closed the door. She quickly ran to the table and looked at the plant. She had forgotten what it was called, but she remembered encountering one in her garden when she was a little princess in her father’s kingdom. She loved how the flower looked and smelled and remembered her father telling her to be like this flower. This plant looked harmless but if anyone were to ingest its roots, they would immediately die. Her father told her to look harmless on the outside but be a deadly weapon at the core.

Draupadi grabbed it by the stem and uprooted it. She tore off a small section of the root and crushed it with one of the books on the shelf. After it turned into a powder, she gently scooped up the dust and poured it into the pitcher. As she was mixing the contents, the noise that was coming from the courtroom ceased. Draupadi knew it was time and her heart pounded, fearing that this plan would fail. She had just placed the pitcher back on the tray when the chamber door flew open.

Duryodhana drunkenly stumbled in, reeking of alcohol. Draupadi hated the sight of his smirk that he gave her. “Finally! You’re mine,” he slurred.

“Finally! I was getting anxious waiting for you!” Draupadi replied, faking enthusiasm to dispel any suspicion. “Ever since I’ve laid eyes on you, I have only ever desired for this moment.”

“And what would that be, dear?” Duryodhana said with a burp at the end. Duryodhana had found his way to the chair behind his desk and gestured for Draupadi to come share his seat. Draupadi smiled at him and started pouring some water into a glass.

“I have always wanted to be yours. I hate the sight of those awful Pandavas. They are greedy and malicious. They are morons compared to you,” she replied as she walked around the table to him. She went and sat on his lap handing him the drink. Duryodhana took it without thinking and said, “You’ve wanted me?”

“Oh yes, of course! Just look at you! You are so strong and the most handsome man I have ever known,” she said as her hands held his face. “Those Pandavas should be bowing to you. Everyone can see you’re the mighty one.”

Duryodhana chuckled, pressed the glass up to his mouth and drank the cup dry. Draupadi held Duryodhana’s hand and led him away from the table. Halfway to the bed, Duryodhana let go of her hand and fell to the ground.

“What have you done to me?” he choked out. Draupadi just stood in silence as she watched the life go out of him. It was done. Her husbands and she could go live their lives without fear of this monster anymore.

Draupadi and the poison

Author's Note: In the original story, Draupadi is forced into Duryodhana's court after Yudhishthira gambled everything away in a dice game. When she is thrown into the court, she is called names and laughed at. Then, one of the men in Duryodhana's court, Dushasana, claims that she should be put to shame and disrobed. Since her husbands cannot help her, she cries out to Krishna for help. Krishna heard her and extended her cloth so that every time Dushasana tried to remove a layer, he would find another underneath. This continued on until here was a large enough pile to make one hundred saris. With the help of a sage, Draupadi was able to win back all that Yudhishthira lost in the bet. The brothers and Draupadi return to their kingdom to plan their revenge.
Later, the brothers get invited back for another game and to no surprise, they lose again. This forced them into exile. I personally thought it was stupid that the brothers went back so I thought it would be better to end Duryodhana's life earlier. In the video, it kept talking about how powerless the Pandava brothers were so I was wondering what would happen if Draupadi won the battle for them.

Bibliography: Epified: Mahabharata Episode 45 - Draupadi Disrobed

Story: Draupadi's Escape

Vaisakha 19^th

Sunrise

Two days from now is the end of my peaceful life. I have been dreading my Swayamvar for the past few months because I do not understand why I’m not allowed to choose who I spend the rest of my life with. This old world thinking does not sit well with me, and I don’t know what to do. I love him. He is everything I have ever wanted in a husband. Ever since the first day, he’s cared for me unlike anyone has ever done before. I love being able to talk to him, and I feel as if I could talk to him for the rest of my life. He’s different than all the suitors that come to buy my love. Everyone just comments on my looks, and they tell me how pretty I am. It’s as if beauty is all I can offer if I become a wife. What about my thoughts and opinions? I’m a princess! I could run a country on my own, if I wanted to.  That’s why he is so great. He listens to what I say, and he engages me in stimulating conversations. Whenever I need a break from faking my interest in the latest sari designs or sweetest perfumes, I go find him. He’s one of the palace guards, so he never stays in one spot. I don’t mind seeking him out, though. His company is always worth the effort and he is who I want to marry.

Vaisakha 20^th

Sunrise

I sought him out yesterday. As we walked through the gardens, he said something I never expected. He told me he was in love with me. What do I do? This is the best news because I return his feelings and love him deeply, but I can only marry the one that wins my father’s challenge tomorrow. I have seen the loveless marriages royals are forced into, and I know that is not what I want in my life. I have to think of a way to make him my husband.

Sunset

The day passed so quickly. I wasn’t aware of anything I did today. I remember having my hair conditioned and brushed. I remember blankly staring on as my maidens dressed me in tomorrow’s dress to check if final alterations were needed. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. He loved me. He did not say these words like the other suitors had. He said them with passion, filled with love for me. Life with him would be incredible. He would be loving and romantic, and he would care for all my needs. Even if we were living in a small hut by the river, I know in my heart I would be happy.

Vaisakha 21^st

Before dawn

This will me my last entry in this book. I leave the kingdom tonight. I have decided that I would rather have a life full of love than an unhappy marriage. We’re going to do it. My love and I are escaping tonight. Escaping seems like the perfect word for this journey. I’m leaving behind this life where I am only respected because of my status, not for my thoughts or ideas. I am finally going to be free! I leave this book behind for anyone to find. May you be encouraged to follow your own desires, and never settle for the life others choose for you.

Draupadi

Author's Note: The original story speaks about how King Drupada had a beautiful daughter named Draupadi. When she was old enough to be wed, the king asked every prince in the nearby kingdoms to come and fight for his daughter. The king had a challenge and whoever could complete the task would get Draupadi. Everyone had heard about Draupadi's great beauty, so they all came to win her hand. Many tried to finish the tasks, but none of them could even lift the special bow. In the end, Arjun was the victor. He was able to string a special bow and hit the desired target. As his prize, he was able to take Draupadi home. 

This story always stuck out to me because this idea of the guy winning the princess seems to come up in many cultures. At first, I wanted to write about the love between Draupadi and Arjun, but then I wondered what would happen if she didn't love him. I took it one step further and completely removed her from the scene to where she runs away before the challenge could even take place. Having read more about her life with the Pandava brothers, I got the feeling she was more than just the pretty face everyone saw. I wanted to show off her heroic side.

Bibliography: Epified: Mahabharata Videos: Draupadi's Swayamwara