Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - XXIII
The day came braving
my nightmares fears misgivings
the dawn was a murmuring string
of light, pre sunrise glow and dew
keeping me taut on the bed long.
I heard whispers of animation
fast walking feet and sombre music
raising the Omkar in auspicious chorus
jammed minds of organizers rang up
the solemn welcome of the fateful day.
The commanding voice of my father
thundered outside, orders issued
the competition will start at midday
the park, gallery, chairs and thrones
must be ready before the shadow of
the peepal tree
touches the south gate.
I sat on the bed hearing hurrying steps
Alpana, Aliva, Sarika
all entered
before I put my feet on ground
lifted me up giggling like school girls
unable to hide their picnic merriment.
You are unreasonable, Princess!
You are not a mere woman , you are
Drupad's daughter, Kampilya's Prize
the envy of all high born, all eyes
of Aryabarta are on you and the king
see how the royal tents of visiting kings
have now become a big city, the line
of boats in the Ganga, the carts and mules
never cease day and night carrying
provisions, fruits, vegetables and clothes
from all across this great country,
bards sing everywhere paeans to your beauty
curious villagers and townsmen come fast
from every part of Bharatvarsha -
O' I know Prabina, you too have come
from Kashi with your team to make me up
as something exotic, the sight of whom
should make the hands of Princes nerveless
I know but tell me where I'm wrong?
The Princes and Kings have come to win me
by their archery skill not to marry me
to live a life of love, amity, friendship:
he who wins can snatch me away and
rightfully so, the victor will claim his prize
and I have to go with him as a trophy
to be displayed with banter to his people
and the prize for an archer, a great hero
must not be a delicate doll, a dumb beauty
loaded with gold and jewellery made radiant
by lotions, pollens and your famed skills
make me the Bride of Fire, no jewellery
no mortal luxuries smeared artfully
make me burn the domed stadium
with the glow I came with straight from fire
the garland should be a ring of lightning
for a true Victor heat should be a balm
not something to recoil from in pain.
I know Princess you are no woman born
you are the daughter of Light, a woman
who would change the elemental world,
leave it to me I am sent to create
the true Draupadi with my leafy brushes
I have stardust and sunglow on dew pearl:
Well Prabina show your skills but make me
what I am, the woman not the Princess
or daughter, sister miracle woman
or changer of the fate of Aryabarta.
Yes I am the greatest prize for men
let no foolish mortal win me
shooting a winking arrow nonchalantly.
The women sang dancing like waves
the sun arose in scarlet splendour
to peep into the Roopshala for a glimpse
of the diadem of grace sublime.
The receiving band suddenly played
welcome to Drupad's courtyard,
A piece specially composed for the occasion,
the conches blew, the women sang lyrically
welcome Vasudev,
welcome Krishna
welcome the Prince of Hearts, King of men:
Draupadi's ears craned for more
she too muttered a welcome with a sigh.
