It was now her shift and I was more than pleased. My father's words echoed through the hall, "A proper Kshatriya woman is not to ask for more than two boons from anyone." His voice boomed with authority as he imparted this traditional wisdom. "Of course, Father," I replied respectfully, though I was beginning to tire of the strict guidelines and expectations placed upon me as a Kshatriya woman. It felt like an endless stream of "yes, you can do that" and "no, you can't do that."
I understood that my father was trying to prepare me for life beyond Paanchal, but it was a heavy burden to bear. However, just as I felt the weight of his words pressing down on me, my sister Shikhandhi, the commander in chief and warrior princess of Paanchal, entered the room like a breath of fresh air. With her arrival, I felt a sense of relief and looked forward to her taking charge. Her presence lifted my spirits.
She approached me and suggested, "Let's have lunch first." We quietly enjoyed our meal, with only the ocassional chit-chat. After we finished, she advised me to maintain strength and uphold my dignity, regardless of the challenges ahead. She emphasized the importance of asserting authority and showcasing inner resillience alongside outer beauty. Later as the sun set, I prepared for the awaited moment. I changed into lighter attire and joined Dhri and Shikhandi, who awaited my presence. As I entered, their gaze fell upon me, and Dhri exclaimed, "How will I ever protect you when you look so stunning even in modest clothing and minimal jewelry, Drau?" I retorted, "Perhaps that's why you're eager to hand me off to Prince Arjun, Dhri." At that, Shikhandhi intervened, "Dhrishtadyumna, Draupadi, that's enough." We heeded her words and sat down to eat.
During dinner, Shikhandi painted vivid portraits of each of the Pandavas. The eldest brother, Yudhishthira, was renowned for his unwavering righteousness and earned the title of Dharmaraj. He was also a skilled spear fighter. The second brother, Bhima, was celebrated for his extraordinary strength and prowess in wielding a mace. The third brother, Arjuna, was an unparalleled archer and held a special place in the heart of his teacher, Guru Drona. The youngest twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva, were bestowed with unique gifts - Nakula's exceptional good looks made him the most handsome man in Aryavarta, and he had a remarkable ability to communicate with animals, while Sahadeva possessed great intelligence and the ability to perceive past, present, and future events. They weilded the sword an axe respectively.All five brothers were accomplished warriors, and their camaraderie often drew comparisons to the legendary bond shared by Lord Rama and his brothers. Dhri was truly captivated by their tales and eagerly anticipated the prospect of meeting them. Later when the inevitable had happened I would wonder whether he would even want to see them.
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Draupadi
Historical Fiction--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dharma was the cloth I held closest. I was draped in dharma. No one could ever take that from me. No amount of pu...
