Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - XVII
Why am I so lonely,
the crescent moon outside
a snowy carpet on fields, trees
the breeze caresses wooingly
everyone in the palace is happy
Krishna Vasudev has
filled all spaces
with golden promises
which have fruitioned
delighting all hearts.
Brother Dristhadyumna is preparing
invitation scrolls to all Princes and Kings
Father regrets the Pandav death
in Varunabarta, wishes
it were untrue
what Swayambara it will be without Arjun!
He remembers how Arjun tied him in rope
for Drona's
Gurudakshina - the king moans
remembering his humiliation, groans
roars for revenge, "My child Draupadi
for you I must have a hero, an Arjun
who shall throw at my feet a tied Drona".
He has several times narrated
in half choked voice to Draupadi and others
his friendship, betrayal and humiliation
Draupadi almost
visualizes the scenes,
but today Drupad is happy after
Krishna's assurance of all help,
The prayer bells are
ringing in his
personal Shiva temple where he alone
has entry at any hour of the day or night,
he smiles and shouts, discusses
preparations albeit the Swayambar
is months away, the
plans are not afoot
nor ready, none have moved
yet everyone behaves as though
the Swaymbara is tomorrow.
Draupadi sighed looked out for air
the lamps are all lighted, incense
rises up in the air, her large rooms
resonate the sweet joy of the palace.
But she is somewhere else, not on earth
not anywhere in the stratosphere
she was wandering without her knowledge
in the affective area of Vasudev.
Draupadi couldn't know why her agitation
in wordless conflict writhes her heart.
Is she in love
Draupadi shuddered- no no,
It's a sin to think of it when Krishna already
has elevated me to be his Sakhi, close and dear
Let me be his Sakhi in my silent prayers,
my love my respect for him has been rewarded
I'm his Sakhi, His Alter ego, yes his very own.
Draupadi did not wait for Alpana
washed the vision of peacock plumes
with lines of kajal thick and shiney
she closed her ears to the rising dust
of the receding chariot
she bit her lips to bite
the mesmerizing smiles
she sealed her feelings to oblivion
she went out to speak to the king
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