Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - XLII
THE RAJASUYA HORSE RETURNS
Time moves in its own pace
endlessly unmaking all orbits
as the sun moon and planets
bound to the central Brahmanic Energy
cannot deviate their course
Time too cannot pause for breath.
Human deeds never stain
the bodyless motions of time.
it has no summer no winter
it is untouched by air water
and all elements which cause
life's magnificent theatre
for all those who come and go:
Draupadi after a fire
bath
sat in the garden listening to
the horse hooves in all directions
saw the sacrificial horse
raising dust of triumphal march
the sweaty faces of her husbands
shining bright in the climbing sun
meeting kings and collecting crowns:
she bowed to the sun never to set
on her Indraprastha's honour.
Indraprastha was unpeopled
as elated eyes waited to receive
the triumphant return of the Yajna Horse
trotting garlanded, soldiers
in self congratulatory ardour beamed
into the city to claps and chants:
victory be to King Yudhistira!!
The king stood in majesty savouring
the scene, the clamour the crowd
eyes surveying the seen
mind purveying the unseen.
As was customary I stood by his side
holding the aarati plate yet my eyes
searched for my four husbands
especially Arjun whose romantic
and military exploits foreran
with windy messengers to fill her ears.
Finally they appeared relaxed, happy
at the rear of the noisy procession.
I performed the rituals
greeting the success of all
and when my husbands stood for aarati
after bowing to King
Yudhistir
I put sandal paste, vermillion
on their foreheads,
waved the lamp and incense
towards their proud faces and asked:
What have you brought for me
the Queen your
dearest wife?
They looked at each other in silence
Bhim said, we have brought glory
to adorn your crown Yajnaseni
Indraprastha will anoint you -
O that I know , what have you brought
for your wife the woman who waited
prayed and fasted in flesh and blood?
Again Bhim said, say what
you need
I'll get it in a trice, Arjun smiled
Is there anything the
queen lacks?
The Aswin's pointed at the Yajna horse
we brought it for you - Draupadi sighed
come in then, you all must
be tired
have your bath I'll feed you
what I have cooked for you
something you will run miles to eat:
What's that Bhim asked
and other's chimed in
I have Yamuna lotus in Ganga mud
Saraswati sand topped by Gandhar snow
all on fig leaves and for dessert I have
muslin to wipe your hands of shame
for having returned empty handed
after a dark and blank year
to be greeted by the wife of five!
She turned her face and moved back
as the Pandav heroes hung their heads.
