Reading: Mahabharata Part D

Draupadi's father sets up a contest for every prince to come and try to win his daughter's hand. The Pandavas came as well. No one could string the bow except for Arjun. He lifted the bow and hit the target directly. Among the ones who came to this event was Karna. When he came to string the bow, Draupadi told him that he was not able to win the hand of a princess. Krishna was also there but he came just to view the events.

Kunti accidently told the sons that they had to share Draupadi. It was said that in a past life, she prayed for a husband with five virtues and in this life, she was to marry five husbands. When the marriages took place, Draupadi's brother witnessed this and took the news back home to his kingdom, and this news of the marriages spread everywhere, even to the people of Hastinapur (much to Duryodhana's disappointment). Upon return to the kingdom, the brothers are given certain areas of land. The Pandava brothers create the land of Indraprastha, and they moved there. Here, Krishna asked to set fire to the land. Among the ashes, a great kingdom rose. The brothers named it Indraprastha. Upon hearing this news, Duryodhana set to work to plot against the Pandava brothers.

Narad came to visit the brothers and when he saw Draupadi, he was worried because he was reminded him of two brothers killing each other over a woman. Narad told the brothers that every brother should keep Draupadi as a wife for one year and if any of the others interrupts, that brother will be exiled for 12 years.

It worked well but one day, Arjun went to Yudhishthira's chambers to get his weapons. Since Arjun disrupted Yudhishthira's time with Draupadi, Arjun was forced to exile. During this time of exile, Arjun went to reside in the Himalayas. One day when Arjun was bathing, a force pulled him down and he later found that it was a woman that had fallen in love with him. Arjun spent many months with her and then decided to leave to a kingdom. Arjun was married to another princess and after she bore him a child, he snuck out to return to Indraprastha.

Arjun found himself in Krishna's kingdom, and they shared many days together. Arjun asked to marry Krishna's sister and according to tradition, Arjun went to abduct her. When he went to visit her, she fell in love with him as well. Arjun mounted a chariot, grabbed his love and raced out of the kingdom.

Arjun racing out of the kingdom

Bibliography: Epified: Mahabharata Videos

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

Reading: Mahabharata Part C

Karna became the son of a charioteer but he felt as if he was born for something greater. When he learned his origins, he decided to get training from the Guru Drona. However, when he got there, the guru rejected him, not knowing Karna was part god. He was sad when he returned home, but he was able to find another teacher, Parashurama. In order to be taught, Karna told Parashurama he was a brahmin. Karna learned and he became a great soldier in the land. One day, Parashurama laid his head on Karna's lap. A scorpion came and bit Karna's thigh but he took the pain in silence so Parashurama wouldn't be disturbed. When Parashurama woke up and saw that Karna was bleeding, he accused Karna of not being Brahmin, and he laid a curse on Karna.

Back in the kingdom of the Pandavas, a great tournament was taking place. Arjuna impressed everyone with his skills until Karna came and challenged him. Since he wasn't invited, Karna wasn't able to be named the victor. The Pandava brothers challenged him to a fight but he could not fight the brothers unless he proved he was a royal. All he could explain was he was found in the river. King Dhritarashtra made Karna a king.

The fame for the Pandava brothers grew and the oldest was said to become the next king. This made Duryodhana jealous and he plotted to burn the brothers in a castle he built to be extremely flammable.  However, the Pandavas learned of this and prepared. They built a tunnel under the palace to escape Duryodhana's wrath. Bhima set fire to the palace and the brothers escaped with their mother. Everyone back at the kingdom mourned their death, not knowing they were still alive.

When they were in the forest, Bhim was the one that worked the most. He carried his brothers and mother, went out to fetch them water, and watched over them as they slept. They finally settled in a city in the forest, but this city was terrorized by Bakasur. When she heard this, Kunti suggested that Bhim should go challenge the beast. Bhim went to Bakasur's cave and killed the beast. Upon his return, the entire village thanked Bhim and honored the family.

In another part of the land, Drupada knew that Drona was coming to take revenge because Drupada humiliated Drona. Drupada prayed for a son to fight his battle and from sacrificial flames, a strong son came forth. Then, another child came, a beautiful daughter named Draupadi.

Karna's armor 

Bibliography: Epified: Mahabharata Videos