Draupadi - The Impregnable Queen

7

"Karuna is the root of Dharma, while gyaan, dhairya, prem, samarpan, nyaay are its pillars. Gyaan preaches the message of Dharma to your mind. Dhairya stabilizes and relaxes the intelligence. Prem stabilizes the heart. Samarpan stabilises and controls the senses of the body. Nyaay gives stability to the soul. When all things are relaxed and stabilized karuna evolves in heart, mind, body and soul, and the person is embedded with Dharma." said Govind, while strolling the palace of Panchal with his sakhi. Draupadi smiled to herself. She was mesmerised by his intellect. Talking to Govind, Draupadi forgot all her problems and woes.

"Everyone in the Aryavarta focuses on shaurya. In my opinion, prem is what should be the essence of each human being. Love is what strengthens us and love is what liberates us." Govind said wistfully as if Draupadi was not even there.

"I do not understand how love can strengthen us, Govind! It can bring bliss, but strength how?" asked Draupadi.

"This doubt arises because you do not understand love even when it is all around you. When you love without conditions, when you care without expectations, and when you give without reasons, that is to love." 

"But Govind prem is what can hold us back sometimes, it can come in the way of Dharma!" Draupadi said, intrigued by Govind's words.

"Sakhi, you are mistaking moh with prem. In reality, where there is prem, moh cannot exist. Love is born from karuna and moh is born from ahankar. When a person is embedded in Dharma, he can be conquered only by prem, and trust me the person will happily surrender." Draupadi was lost in what Govind had just said. 

"Draupadi, talking about love, makes me think that your swamvar should be conducted, soon!" Govind exclaimed, but she heard a  hint of sadness in his voice. Draupadi was taken aback, she did not expect this from him, but she kept her shock to herself.

"Govind, I do not see why I need to wed a king or a prince to be his consort, while I am already the queen here, Panchal needs me Govind if I mar-"

"Calm down sakhi, I am not asking you to leave the throne, you are born to be a queen. Marriage cannot take what is yours moreover, it gives you more. What if you conduct the swamvar, with the condition that the victor will have to be the prince consort of Panchal?" Govind said, his heart not in it.

"What is it Govind? You do not seem happy with your own suggestion." Draupadi confronted him.

"Sakhi, I have never understood the concept of swamvar. A male is chosen so that you can love him, but it is not we humans who choose, it is love who chooses us. But my opinions do not matter right now, your swamvar has to be conducted." Govind said.

Five days had passed since the conversation, the messages had been sent, but not a reply came. This was what Draupadi had thought would happen, and she was happy. No, prince or king wants to be a prince consort! The swamvar was called off, and both Govind and Draupadi were secretly glad. 

"Sakhi, I hope you marry with love, not obligations." said Govind, placing his hand on Draupadi's shoulder.

I hope so too, Draupadi thought but didn't say it out loud. After their conversation on love, Draupadi had hoped that she would get to experience the kind of love Govind talked about.

In the woods of Panchal, strolled six hermits, five men, one woman. The woman seemed older than the men, and almost half their height. The man at the back was built like a bull, one of the two surrounding the woman carried a sword, and the other an axe. The man in front of the three, looked alert and calm at the same time holding a spear made of wood. 

The man with the spear called out, "Is the way clear, Arjuna?" he asked. 

A man the tallest after the hermit at the back came into view. His sculpted arms holding a bow made of wood, his long hair tied in a bun and secured in place by a red cloth. His forehead and biceps had three white lines on them, signifying him as a devotee of Lord Shiva. His red angavastram, floated in the air to provide a view of his toned torso. He wore an orange dhoti and was adorned with only rudraksha beads.

"Yes, Jeshtha, all clear."

Author's note: I am providing a vocabulary for words you may be unfamiliar with:

Karuna - Hindi for compassion 

Gyaan - Hindi for knowledge

Prem - Hindi for love

Dhairya - Hindi for patience

Samarpan - Hindi for dedication

Nyaay - Hindi for justice

Shaurya - Hindi for gallantry

Moh - Hindi for attachment

Ahankar - Hindi for ego

Swamvar - In ancient India, it was a practice of choosing a husband, from among a list of suitors, by a girl of marriageable age.

Rudraksha - It is a seed that is used as a prayer bead in Hinduism, especially in Shaivism