Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 52
The dull afternoon sun was hazy
lifeless cloudlets in slow motion
made the skyface an ugly brown
Draupadi after supervising
a food camp
in the forest of Ranikhet
rode the chariot to return to the palace.
The guards in full bellied drowsiness
followed eager to reach home by sunset.
Suddenly a wind arose
hissing and swishing
like a gale as though the forest spirits
laughed challenging the empress to take
her chariot above the gushing winds:
stop said Draupadi her long hair
flowing like a wet jet black stream,
her voice almost blown away by the wind
stop, this fury of the wind is mocking us
testing our patience, poor thing doesn't know
it will dissipate in sheer exhaustion
of its own fury running its course.
Enjoy the wind's wrath blessing it
a longer life of purpose benign and
short lived to give more to inflame
our passion to create small joys
out of our infinite miseries.
The wind subsided Draupadi tied her hair
the chariots moved the sun was low
but golden in his farewell stance.
The Moya palace rose into the evening sky
as a resplendent tower of
beauty
The lamp design of a flying eagle
with wings of light flapping grace
was seen around kingdoms and villages
as a venerable shrine of majesty
order, justice, discipline and peace
where the high priest was Yudhistira
performing rites of
human glory.
Draupadi lit the lamps
in her prayer room and sat
in silent contemplation to control
her thoughts to ratify her feelings
for men women in palaces and homes.
Krishna her Sakha appeared before
her shut eyes, she raised automatic
hands in bowed surrender to him
Man, God, Friend for shaping her destiny:
she arose in languid grace
when she heard joyous greetings
in voices of true delight.
She came out in a hurry
when Nakul the handsome
met halfway and said Vidura,
our venerable well wisher has come.
You must go and greet him -
Mahatma Vidura has come! O' this
twilight visit portents what
I do not know but the star symmetry
is definitely broken - Well let's see!
She almost ran to Vidura's presence
and bowed to him reverentially
much to the delight of the wise Minister.
Bless you my child may you bring
peace and joy to this intemperate land.
Yudhistira asked him about the
king
his father Dhritarastra, Kunti
enquired about Gandhari and Hastinapur
Vidura sighed, I wish I could tell you
heaven's blessings smile on Hastinapur.
The king, the Prince Duryodhana, Gandhari,
all take good care of the people and kingdom
but things are not what they should be:
Now Sir you please refresh yourself.
I will show you your room sir
the other guests, soldiers have
already been taken care of by Nakula
please come, speak to us at dinner.
Draupadi served him carefully
prepared items to the Mahamantri
Uncle Vidura, with love and respect.
Her husbands and mother Kunti too
showed their humble respect to please
the sage Vidura whose wisdom and
administrative acumen were famous
his judgment though was always correct
and he never minced words, called
a spade a spade to honour Truth.
The Karauvas naturally never liked
his moral uprightness and straight talk,
Vidura was pleased and full, he
almost requested the host to stop:
"Daughter Draupadi", don't overcharge
my age and ability, let there be
some space for water - everyone
laughed and they arose to wash
their hands and retired for the night.
Next morning when the Emperor's
court was in session Vidura entered
and was received by Yudhistira gracefully
Vidura sought the Emperor's permission
stood up to narrate the purpose of his visit:
Emperor Yudhistira, Empress Draupadi
the great Pandavas Bhima, Arjuna,
Nakula and Sahadeva, Ministers courtiers
and Kulgurus, Saints and others present here
I am here with the missive of king Dhritarastra
to invite the Emperor for a game of Dice
to further cement our familial friendship,
natural bond and bonhomie to strengthen
our relationship in brotherly bonds, trade
politics and military neutrality for peace.
The king wishes the Emperor, his family
the people of Indraprastha
prosperity
happiness and perpetuity of bloodline.
If Yudhistira accepts our invitation
and comes for a week with family and friends
Dhritarastra, Duryodhana and mother Gandhari
will be gratified playing host to Arayabarta's
greatest emperor and his heroic brothers:
Yudhistira stood up bowed to sage Vidura
and said, I most humbly thank you
and the king our father for this invitation.
What greater pleasure can there be then
visiting our home again for a pleasure trip
also to play dice which is symbolic of
amity strategic friendship and formal joy.
Tell the king our father I accept - May I
Bhima stood up, asked who will play against
Emperor Yudhistira since Dhritarastra has
no sight or vision and where will it be played
for form demands a public game -
Yuvraj Duryodhana will play, said Vidura.
The game shall be played in the Royal Hall
in the presence of Grandfather Bhisma
and all the dignitaries of Hastinapur,
nearby kingdoms, presided over by Dhritarastra.
Draupadi fidgeted in her throne
she knew Yudhistira will never say no
to a game of dice but is it prudent -
Arjuna asked, respected sir, Dice
is always played between equals
How can a Prince play with an Emperor?
Duryodhana will play for the king:
Yudhistira assured Uncle Vidura, he and
his family will be at Hastinapur
before the moon wanes next week.
