DRAUPADI - 67

   

Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's 

DRAUPADI - 67 

Seasons passed as usual

time's unseen wings flapped

the lapping sounds had no magic

trees fell and rose grass died

into a green birth, the misty wind

gave shivering shocks, changing

directions to sweep away dry leaves

to awaken green shoots to relish

storms in uncanny silence:

But Draupadi's mind has only

one season of all pervading gloom

sunlight fails to penetrate the thick

layers of murky agony, the moon

is always in the dark fortnight

spring summer and rain move

in concentric circles churning her mind.       

 

The exile years rolled on testing

their patience, resilience and resolve

it was the last month of the twelfth year

Yudhistira was worried where to go

for the year of incognito living.

Duryodhana's  spies are everywhere

land and waterways are watched

where to go was the question in the

Pandava mind, the brothers sat worried.

Yudhistira said Panchal is not the right

kingdom for us although we will get all

protection and care, but we can scarce

maintain secrecy, our identities cannot

be hidden under false theatrics

as the palace will treat us deferentially.

We cannot be spy proof in Kampilya.

Bhima said why not live for a year

in Hidimba's care in the caves far away

from the roaming eyes of Duryodhana?

 

Arjuna said Brother, there may be

physical safety but we must not

lose contact with our close relations

as we have to prepare for war - suddenly

Three rishi's appeared, appeal in their

eyes, distress and disgust in their person

we came for help Yudhistira an antler

has carried away the yajna firewood.

We have failed chasing him would you

kindly help us - Arjuna, Bhima, Yudhistira

and the twins immediately rushed at 

the direction pointed out by the rishis.

Draupadi too of curiosity followed them

they saw the antler's branched horns

had the pieces of yajna wood, Nakula

took aim with a stone but Yudhistira

checked him, no harm should come to the poor

antler, let's catch him; but the stag

was so agile and fast, they could not

catch him, all their energies sapped

yet the stag was free. He moved into

the dark woods leaving the Pandavas

gasping for breath, in the midst of

trees and shrubbery fearfully deep

and thick full of thorns and wild growth.

All the brothers were thirsty without

energy to move further in search of

water - yet they did move about

there was no stream pond or the murmur

of a distant flow of water real or illusive.

 

The afternoon sun parched their throats

they sat on a mound in helpless stupor

Nakula dragged his anxious feet a distance,

climbed a tree scanned his tired eyes

saw a distant pond and shouted;

Brother there is water

not far away come to the north

it's blue sheen pleases the eyes

I'll go drink and bring you water,

so saying he rushed into the thicket

the brothers waited in eager breath:

Draupadi said - let's follow him,

Yudhistira waved his hand, he'll bring

let's wait; they waited till the sun

turned grey and drained its lustre.

Bhima in impatience stood up, let me

see where Nakula is - and walked away

-  He too did not return till the sun was

fully westward  hurrying for home.

Arjuna went out to search for the two

when the sun turned molten gold

in pale descent, Sahadeva followed

after a few anxious breaths lost

rhythm in apprehension, Yudhistira sat

in irate impatience thirst yielding to

fear of unseen calamity - Draupadi

in sunken heart urged Yudhistira

to go and look for his brothers - the sun

is now poised on the mountains

preparing for duty's end, the returning

birds in hungry clamour call their

young ones not to fear the twilight.

Please go my thirsty eyes are drooping -

Yes yes I know, I am worried, let me go,

you can come with me if you wish.

Yudhistira walked full of misgivings

what he saw milched his energy

his dear brothers lay dead on the

banks of the lake of crystal waters.