DRAUPADI - 59

 

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.