Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - XXXVIII
lying on the gold bed, the afternoon
wore off she could not muster courage
to ask his Sakha how could he do it,
betray his Sakhi's trust for politics?
How could my Sakha allow his sister
Subhadra to elope and marry her Arjun
breaking her heart to bloodless stubs!
No point asking him, he will be ready
with explanations
justifications to prove
the justness of his action.
He may even plead innocence.
He will not lie to me - But
can things change if he speaks
the Truth and nothing but the Truth
Draupadi had a wry
smile.
Time cannot move back
to undo what has been done,
time moves ahead, we merely
look back in helpless regret.
Arjun is already married
Subhadra is his wedded wife
whether Krishna plotted this
to defeat Balram's intent
and deny Duryodhan his sister
it matters little now:
My Arjun is now shared
as I am but not with my agony.
The scene flashed before her
when the news raised a flutter
the palace was numbed by
dual emotions of joy and sadness.
Krishna's sister is Arjun's bride!
How will Draupadi take it -
yet for Yudhistir it was a strategic
alliance, a Pandav triumph
to show Duryodhan his place.
Few tears were shed for Panchali
this is the royal practice, kings
heroes and tyrants can have wives
to swell their pride, the angel of the house
must accept her fate of lonely tears
in closed rooms or count her blessings
joining celebrations in simulated glee.
Brave Draupadi was normal
her mask never slipped nor tongue
betrayed jealousy nor tear welled eyes
invited sympathetic queries:
She called the
officers of the court
instructed them to prepare a
grand reception for the newly weds
asked her closest Alpana to decorate
the best room for the couple as a
bridal boat soft sailing on Yamuna
the best dancers must play Rati-Madan
in an exotic forest by riverside
and a flute should play all night
Rag Basant in soft mellifluousness
wines of the best variety must flow
drowning the moon to flounder.
Draupadi asked Alpana
to make her up to shame
Menaka in lust and lustre,
as the chariot of Arjun- Subhadra
and the proud entourage neared.
Draupadi steadied herself
with glasses of soma
hereby prepared the Arati
with hundred maids she joined
the welcome party at the gate.
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