DRAUPADI - 52

 Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - 52 

The dull afternoon sun was hazy

lifeless cloudlets in slow motion

made the skyface an ugly brown

Draupadi after supervising  a food camp

in the forest of Ranikhet

rode the chariot to return to the palace.

The guards in full bellied drowsiness

followed eager to reach home by sunset.

Suddenly a wind   arose hissing and swishing

like a gale as though the forest spirits

laughed challenging the empress to take

her chariot above the gushing winds:

stop said Draupadi her long hair

flowing like a wet jet black stream,

her voice almost blown away by the wind

stop, this fury of the wind is mocking us

testing our patience, poor thing doesn't know

it will dissipate in sheer exhaustion

of its own fury running its course.

Enjoy the wind's wrath blessing it

a longer life of purpose benign and

short lived to give more to inflame

our passion to create small joys

out of our infinite miseries.

The wind subsided Draupadi tied her hair

the chariots moved the sun was low

but golden in his farewell stance.

 

The Moya palace rose into the evening sky

as a resplendent tower of  beauty

The lamp design of a flying eagle

with wings of light flapping grace

was seen around kingdoms and villages

as a venerable shrine of majesty

order, justice, discipline and peace

where the high priest was Yudhistira

performing rites of human glory.

 

Draupadi lit the lamps

in her prayer room and sat

in silent contemplation to control

her thoughts to ratify her feelings

for men women in palaces and homes.

Krishna her Sakha appeared before

her shut eyes, she raised automatic

hands in bowed surrender to him

Man, God, Friend for shaping her destiny:

she arose in languid grace

when she heard joyous greetings

in voices of true delight.

 

She came out in a hurry

when Nakul the handsome

met halfway and said Vidura,

our venerable well wisher has come.

You must go and greet him -

Mahatma Vidura has come! O' this

twilight visit portents what

I do not know but the star symmetry

is definitely broken - Well let's see!

She almost ran to Vidura's presence

and bowed to him reverentially

much to the delight of the wise Minister.

Bless you my child may you bring

peace and joy to this intemperate land.

 

Yudhistira asked him about the  king

his father Dhritarastra, Kunti

enquired about Gandhari and Hastinapur

Vidura sighed, I wish I could tell you

heaven's blessings smile on Hastinapur.

The king, the Prince Duryodhana, Gandhari,

all take good care of the people and kingdom

but things are not what they should be:

Now Sir you please refresh yourself.

I will show you your room sir

the other guests, soldiers have

already been taken care of by Nakula

please come, speak to us at dinner.

 

Draupadi served him carefully

prepared items to the Mahamantri

Uncle Vidura, with love and respect.

Her husbands and mother Kunti too

showed their humble respect to please

the sage Vidura whose wisdom and

administrative acumen were famous

his judgment though was always correct

and he never minced words, called

a spade a spade to honour Truth.

 

The Karauvas naturally never liked

his moral uprightness and straight talk,

Vidura was pleased and full, he

almost requested the host to stop:

"Daughter Draupadi", don't overcharge

my age and ability, let there be

some space for water - everyone

laughed and they arose to wash

their hands and retired for the night.

 

Next morning when the Emperor's

court was in session Vidura entered

and was received by Yudhistira gracefully

Vidura sought the Emperor's permission

stood up to narrate the purpose of his visit:

Emperor Yudhistira, Empress Draupadi

the great Pandavas Bhima, Arjuna,

Nakula and Sahadeva, Ministers courtiers

and Kulgurus, Saints and others present here

I am here with the missive of king Dhritarastra

to invite the Emperor for a game of Dice

to further cement our familial friendship,

natural bond and bonhomie to strengthen

our relationship in brotherly bonds, trade

politics and military neutrality for peace.

The king wishes the Emperor, his family

the people of Indraprastha  prosperity

happiness and perpetuity of bloodline.

If Yudhistira accepts our invitation

and comes for a week with family and friends

Dhritarastra, Duryodhana and mother Gandhari

will be gratified playing host to Arayabarta's

greatest emperor and his heroic brothers:

Yudhistira stood up bowed to sage Vidura

and said, I most humbly thank you

and the king our father for this invitation.

What greater pleasure can there be then

visiting our home again for a pleasure trip

also to play dice which is symbolic of

amity strategic friendship and formal joy.

Tell the king our father I accept - May I

Bhima stood up, asked who will play against

Emperor Yudhistira since Dhritarastra has

no sight or vision and where will it be played

for form demands a public game -

Yuvraj Duryodhana will play, said Vidura.

The game shall be played in the Royal Hall

in the presence of Grandfather Bhisma

and all the dignitaries of Hastinapur,

nearby kingdoms, presided over by Dhritarastra.

 

Draupadi fidgeted in her throne

she knew Yudhistira will never say no

to a game of dice but is it prudent -

Arjuna asked, respected sir, Dice

is always played between equals

How can a Prince play with an Emperor?

Duryodhana will play for the king:

Yudhistira assured Uncle Vidura, he and

his family will be at Hastinapur

before the moon wanes next week.