Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 59
The New Green World
Silent was the dawn
the trees were sleepy
the sun yawning behind the fog
looked as if betrayed in the bed.
But duty is duty dharma is dharma
red faced sun looked up in silence
the Pandava five and lone Draupadi
clad in saffron started taking leave
tearful faces in silent sobs.
Gandhari, Kunti, Vidura, Bhisma
blessed them, a small crowd
loyal commoners watched the crownless
bare graceless royals mournfully
gauging in awe the spins of fate
making the prince a pauper in a jiffy:
No conches blew no petals strewn
no chariots waited nothing moved
save the heavy feet of the Pandavas,
followed by the dainty feet of Panchali
hair open body bare mind clouded
yet radiant defiant determined
they walked bowing to the waving crowd.
The journey was absurd
aimless without destination
only the sun rose up ignoring
the moving and unmoving worlds
small big still born aborted ruined:
None complained of sweat or hunger
thirst drank itself empty
parched throats stiff and sticky
but legs moved, dry
eyes looked
for the first shade by a brook.
After meandering for hours
when the sun leaned towards west
lazily coursing over their heads.
Arjuna exclaimed - Water! There
but there was
nowhere near, yet
they hurried their tired bones.
Finally sat under a Peepal tree
Bhima said let's see whether these
trees have something for our hunger:
Asking Nakula to guard exhausted Draupadi
they went out to find some fruits
or something to keep
them going.
Leaning against the tree trunk
Draupadi was half awake half dead.
Nakula said, I have no words to balm
the pain - Draupadi raised her left hand
to silence him, her eyes were shut
Nakula was wise enough to keep peace.
Draupadi shuddered as she felt
Dussasan's nails on her arms
Karna's 'slut' Duryodhan's thighslaps
rang out in her ears but she fought
her tears, killed the rising wanton.
Why should she burn in her own embers
who thinks of her and why should they
when their own exiled reality is haunted
by shame guilt and self flagellation!
Life is single, a breathing unit.
Man lives and dies on his own
creates time space expanding it
by his own efforts of body and mind,
the broad soul encompasses a larger
space of life taking in man and nature
to widen life's inclusivity:
but it's always one world, private
intimate and real the others are
space filling pawns for his lifeplay.
Her own world is vast engulfing
five larger worlds but when she fell
the thud was her own thunder.
Draupadi opened her eyes
sat erect mustering her sapping nerves
to bring order and harmony to her world.
For three days they moved
the sunless woods became familiar
the watching animals empathised
they found a clearing on the Ganga
green capped trees offered enough
sun and shade, the Pandavas built
a hut with the yielding branches
grass and mud and their labour
raised a forest palace rich enough
to shelter their impoverished pride:
It was the Dwaita forest that gave
the Pandavas safe shelter and time
to cogitate the unseen alphabets of life.
Draupadi took charge of the kitchen
fuel and water were aplenty but
what to cook, who will bring what
unless my husbands turn beggars?
She thought for a moment in pain -
Why should she yield to sorrow
like the fate blaming chest beating destitutes?
She came out of the hut walked under
the tree fanned sun soft pacing
the free grown virgin grass up to
Ganga's murmur haunted banks.
She bowed in reverence muttering
O Mother teach me to flow over terrains
of vicissitudes, hate torture neglect
and golden beds of diamond intent
without losing the tunes of being
to the cacophony of discord.
Let me flow mother carving out my own bed
without surrender or compromise;
let me be myself in spring and winter.
She washed her long hair, bathed
and walked back with spring in her steps
dried herself into fresh clothes and found
the kitchen was full with rice vegetables
fruits and many types of berries.
Who has brought these?
Who will give
such gifts or alms to the Pandavas?
May be my Sakha has sent these
or my father - No, King Drupad knows
I would never accept
his help even in
death bed counting the thatcheave drops
watching life ooze out moment by moment.
Bhima came a broad
smile on his face
Draupadi - Is anything more you want
tell me, I'll get those tomorrow -
So you brought all these!
Who gave you ?
Did you loot some strangers ? Or -
'Quiet'. Not a word
more,
did Bhima ever beg
for anything in life?
Did he ever steal?
I know you are nursing a wound
I too burn inside in helpless rage
don't you provoke me - Sorry Bhima
misfortune causes moral
amnesia.
Hunger often drives the animal inside
to override the human to corruption.
.
But my Bhima cannot forget dignity
I am assured of that - Sorry Bhima!
Then prepare a hearty meal, I don't
remember when I had
full belly!
I felled hundred trees for a merchant
a man from Kachh and I asked him
for provisions not gold for my sweat:
I am proud of you my husband
come after your bath in the Ganga
I will feed you all your favourites and more -
smiled Draupadi with an effort, visible memories
darkened her eyes as she turned away.
