Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 53
The moment Vidura left
apparently worried which
Draupadi saw in his forced smile:
Draupadi asked, how could you agree
for a dice game in Hastinapur?
I admit it is a ritual in Rajasuya
but in your own palace as a formality
to establish noble vibes and moral power.
The Vedic belief has perpetuated this
in the Rajasuya but have you forgotten
what Krishna said when the proposal
came from the Kuru princes and
how he evaded it and dissuaded you
quoting what the crest jewel of sages
the wise Vyasa had predicted about you:
that you, Yes my husband, you Yudhistira
shall be the cause of the extinction
of the Khsatryas after
thirteen years.
Bhima interjected, is there any
guarantee you will win, if you lose
you can imagine the consequences.
Arjuna said the fickle dice has never
faced up prosperity or peace
it leads to war and ruin: Enough
Yudhistira almost shouted, leave me
I cannot dishonour father Dhritarastra.
He has invited us with filial love
moreover I am a king I cannot
reject the invitation of a king
who is our father, a figure we grew up with
now go and prepare for the visit.
The brothers went severally, Yudhistira
fastwalked his conflict to his room
Draupadi stood hesitant for a while
then walked heavy footed to her chamber.
Draupadi was restless in the bed.
How could he agree, Vidura
himself was not pleased when
Yudhistira said yes he accepted
the invitation for the dice game.
Vidura's eyes paled in disappointment,
his smile was not organic,
his words, towards the end lacked vigour
he was pained inside, Draupadi
certainly saw the hurt in his eyes.
Draupadi changed sides, but
she must do something -
what
what can she do to convince
Yudhistira of the hell hole ahead?
Dice means Kali,
the zero
the lowest in the scheme of things
Krita, Treta Dwapar and Kali
the dice board has traps
squared for Kali's mischief.
Yudhistira is so wise and so foolish
to walk into the trap -
What invitation is this? For gambling?
That too in the court the royal
audience clapping the victor and
laughing away the loser? No
she must stop him even if
she incured his wrath. She got up
changed her dress and in
slow
but firm steps moved towards
Yudhistira's chamber wearing a smile.
I know why you are here, said Yudhistira.
I know you know why I am here
I am here to remind you of Jatugriha
Have you forgotten that, have you
forgotten the humiliation in the forests?
The dice invitation too is a trap
you are the Emperor of Aryabarta
your glory shines everywhere,
people adore you, pray for your long life: Why?
Because they have faith in your nobility
your sense of justice your equanimity
your love of truth and tireless service.
What will people think when they see you
gambling in another kingdom leaving
Indraprastha to indifferent officials?
Come nearer Draupadi sit by my side
think again, you know dice is always
played by the royals, it is form and ritual,
how could I not go when my elder father
invites me through his wise Minister,
my grandfather, how could I insult
them by rejecting such an invitation?
I agree the formal logic holds
but should Yudhistira the Dharmaraja
not rise above such ritualistic evil
which has ruined families and kingdoms?
You are so wise how do you not see
the intent behind this dice invitation?
Can you ever trust Duryodhana?
And his mentor director
Shakuni?
What my Sakha Krishna Vasudeva did
by killing Kamsa, Jarasandha and
setting you up as the Emperor would be
smashed by one call of dice.
You now have the
support and loyalty
a hundred thousand
kings respect you
Krishna made the kings free of tyranny
exploitation and fear
vesting all hope on your administration
impartial justice and magnanimity.
But this dice will paint you black
anyone can say the great Yudhistira
cannot make things happen by his judgement
meticulous work and confidence,
he depends on chance, the deceitful dice
to change his fortunes - Stop
cried Yudhistira, don't excite my patience
your words are poisoned, a vituperative
stream of skewed logic to divert
my course: I have given word I cannot
be a break promise moron.
I'll go. You too shall come
sealing your lips with prudence.
Draupadi calmly walked out, her eyes
darkening with gathering clouds.
