Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 63
The wintry sun was dull and dim
perhaps tired after relentless duty
for long days in youthful energy
he was like a ball of misty glow
heralding the night before time darkening
the forest in the cold afternoon, the trees
almost in stupor merely nodded welcome
to the twilight, the silence was a crowd
of the irretrievable past invading the
dull present whose future is still born.
Draupadi and all her husbands sat inside
each floating in the dark sea of their
own worlds seeing without meeting eyes.
Their worlds were disjoint decentred
yet real, painfully real - Suddenly
Arjuna stood up - I hear horses -
Yudhistira too heard, all Pandavas went out:
Draupadi calmly listened and could know
the friendly sounds of an advancing group -
Who could this be ?
Sakha!
No, his presence in the forest
would have been a spring breeze
lotus scented enthralling the dead nerves
to dream of an amiable future
but whoever is out there is a friend
maybe this dull evening would lift
the unnerved minds to some hope.
The hooves fell silent, a smiling Vidura
alighted from the chariot
his affable
followers guards holding gifts, provisions
moved with joyous steps asserted by
the happy Pandavas, Yudhistira asked Vidura
about mother Kunti and Dhritarastra.
Vidura answered in filial tone,
Kunti is morose but mobile,
the king uncertain of his unsteady steps
has almost dwarfed himself
before Duryodhana and his mentor.
Vidura paused at the doorstep
surveying the Pandava abode when
Draupadi came out to touch his feet,
I have no soothing words to bless you my child,
said Vidura, may the Gods protect you all
from seen and unseen dangers -
Draupadi washed his feet
dried them with her anchal
despite Vidura's protestations.
Draupadi ushered him in, saying -
Not a place this where your age and authority
could get your rightful comforts but -
don't speak. This hut is a palace for the braves
who defy defeat to defend honour.
The breeze here is fragrant with love
the wooden seats are more welcoming
than the throne cushions, your welcome
is heart warming, you have made
the place majestic with your humble grace.
Sit down sons - No, uncle, you first relax
get back your journey lost energy.
I will look after the others said Yudhistira
Draupadi took him inside for a wash.
Draupadi cooked with zeal and love
hosting uncle in their forest shelter
with humility and simplicity,
earned his appreciation, the Pandavas
poured all their respect which for Vidura was
a delicious dessert sweet and fulfilling.
After dinner they sat around him:
I came just to see you my children
to know how life's freakish designs have
treated you and how you are coping
with the nets and knives in your combats
I have come as your uncle, not as Minister.
Didn't mother wish to come with you?
Asked Bhima, Yes she did my prudence
forbade me not to raise speculations.
But I assure you she is well, yet morose
for the health of the kingdom is
on the decline, we are all restless but
we suffer in cowardly withdrawal waiting
for reviving energy to rejuvenate
and rekindle our hope in political sanity.
Uncle! Said Yudhistira you are the wisest sanest
Primeminister of Hastinapur, erudite
and articulate, your scholastic achievements
are unparalleled, why do you cower under
irrational temper and submit to monocracy?
Vidura paused looked at the Pandavas
what could the minister do when
the King is allergic to sane advice?
King is not a person
King is a symbol an icon
of public faith, the Crown
on the head of the king represents
responsibility for the people
It's heavy and it cannot be
stolen from the storehouse
of some divine dispenser of power
nor can it be given to one's son
who always uses the crown
as footrest: But Dhritarastra
thinks the crown is an ornament.
He is my elder brother
but I am a mere employee
at his mercy - Only when
he is in conflict, he calls me brother:
he hears me but does not listen.
For if he listened he
would
be conscious of his own illegitimacy,
He wore the crown by default
legitimised it after Pandu,
your father's untimely death.
But law, justice, tradition
do not ratify his Kingship.
An eyeless man has no right
to the throne of a kingdom.
A king is not a husband
a king is not a father
he is the husband of the kingdom
father of the entire population.
He keeps them safe healthy
educates them and engages them
for the prosperity of his kingdom:
But Dhritarastra has no eyes,
no vision for Hastinapur
he has only one ambition -
to make his son the king.
This Son love will cost him
and his kingdom a catastrophy,
inevitable and irreraperable.
We have warned him but he is
impervious to all sanity
Pitamaha has withdrawn from reality,
I am waiting for I don't know what.
In my love for Hastinapur
I too have lost my sight and serve
the king trying to wake him up.
I know the future is war
so be it, let time run its course,
but my dear children don't make
history hold you guilty for the Death of Man:
And one more thing, leave this place
move to the borders of Kamyak
or a place on the east of Dwaita:
No don't ask, I have information
but I cannot reveal just obey me and go.
Move tonight if you can my men will
place you right at a safer place.
And keep this Vidura gave some coins
and arose to pierce the ghostly night.
The Pandavas and Draupadi broke the hut
the horses and carts were loaded
with what Vidura had brought and they left
not in fear like spineless cowards
but honouring sane advice
to tempt fate for another round.
