DRAUPADI - XXIX

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - XXIX

Drupad pacified by the wise

convinced and consoled by all

he held in esteem,  celebrated

Draupadi's marriage with the Five

Princes who turned their status

from recluse to iconic Princes

heir to Hastinapur's affluence.

 

Messengers were sent to Dhritrastra

to give them their due recognition,

festivities continued in Kampilya

till appetites sagged to refrain

from delight to practical basics

Drupad was happy to flaunt Pandavs

his pride and glory now has no ebb.

 

Draupadi didn't  know whether

to wax like the moon or wane

like the lily at dewy sunrise;

she covered her dark innards

with silky smiles and bejewelled glow

but she decided to ask Arjun the victor

not as wife but as  woman

why she should be fifth of herself

when she is whole and handsome!

 

In the winter noon while the court

met informally to discuss further

strategies to meet the Kuru king

and claim Pandav rights

Draupadi searched for a lone moment

to ask Arjun, her true winner

why was he quiet when Yudhistir

rationalised Mother Kunti's casual

routine blessing as the unshakable law?

Did Arjun win me for his brothers?

For Pandavs, for his family name?

Draupadi lowered her head in doubts,

all answers were questions for her

all flowers in Kampilya garden

looked black, colourless and faded

she shook her head in self doubt

all thoughts which seemed to be solutions

became fresh riddles, Draupadi saw

everything as nothing

Arjun appeared in parts 

one fifth of his Gandiv

his body and soul solemn

in the middle of the brothers.

 

Draupadi closed her eyes and walked

at random among the vanishing plants

she stumbled and sat down again

to stumble into her lonely bed.