Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 66
After feeding everyone birds, beasts
and men she sat to eat thinking
how satisfied people are when a
bellyfull meal induces peaceful sleep:
Is man only a belly a body of senses
is there nothing beyond the carnal world?
The mind has its own hunger, imagination
its own peaks and precipices different
from the body's thrills frills and drills.
I eat to charm hunger but what can I do
to charm my rising agony that distracts
makes me sink into the depths of despair!
She washed the pots and pans when
she heard commotion and chants of Shiva!
She paused craning her ears, the chants
grew louder which made the Pandavas alert.
The brothers went outside and saw
the great saint Durbasa followed by
a large group of disciples advancing
towards their hut, Yudhistira and brothers
stood with folded hands to greet and
receive rishi Durbasa whose anger was
legendary for he cursed at the slightest
neglect or disrespect of his stature.
His moods were mercurial, temper
tempestuous judgements impulsive
and he was always in a hurry
as his patience was proverbially thin:
Yudhistira took a few steps and fell
at his feet, the brothers all bowed and
washed his feet, Draupadi wiped his feet
with her saree edge in due respect.
Durbasa blessed them profusely, praised
their honour, valour humility and grace,
after the group was seated, Durbasa said:
we are tired and hungry, cook good food
we'll have our wash in the river
and return soon to eat
and rest.
Durbasa arose with disciples and
left for his bath and prayers
leaving the Pandavas and Draupadi dazed.
Draupadi ran to the kitchen, searched
for rice; there was nothing; looked for
fruits, there were none, the kitchen was
dry and empty, the pots were like
voided bowls of the inverted sky
when the stars fall in disgust
to earth's bowels protesting the sun's
domination all over the three worlds.
Draupadi struck her forehead, what fate!
O Sakha how many deaths shall I die
in this daily horror of my existence!!
Yudhistira was worried stiff
Bhima went out to get some fruits
Sahadeva said, Brother, this is
Duryodhana's plot, the scheming Shakuni
and the enemies cajoled the Rishi
to ask food for three hundred disciples.
If we cannot feed him he will curse,
The Pandavas may not survive his curse:
I know son said Yudhistira but
we have nothing not a grain,
not a banana - stop worrying
whatever happens accept - suddenly
a racing chariot appeared like
a cloudmist during a sandstorm.
Yudhistira's eyes brightened when Krishna
alighted and greeted the brothers:
Hey brother! You are here, I searched
for you in the old place, where's Draupadi,
he went inside in a tearing hurry.
Yudhistira wondered at his odd demeanour
His ways are strange but how
has he come alone, no guards
no weapons; Is he on a mission -
Well he knows what he does; Nakula
it's time for the rishis to return
what shall we do? What can we feed them,
we will lay prostrate at their feet
and apologize for our inability
to quench their hunger and thirst;
after that if he curses in anger
we'll accept it as our bad luck.
Sakhi, Sakhi, Sakhi I'm famished
feed me your best Drupadnandini!
Draupadi sprang to her feet from her
worry worn posture in a jerk: You
How --- when you came Sakha without
any indication - O
Sakhi, stop these
questions and feed me, I am hungry!
Draupadi's eyes leaked in profuse shame
I have nothing to give you, nothing at all
Durbasa and his train are on us
to ruin our future - O Sakhi
I am hungry
give me something: He lifted the pot
It's empty Sakha I have washed it - No
here is a grain Sakhi, let me eat it;
Krishna ate and running his hand
on his belly said O I am full,
you have saved me Sakhi - Now tell me
why did you call me? I came flying
leaving everything to time's mercy.
Draupadi wiped her eyes in wonder
you know Sakha tell me how to feed
the rishis who may come any moment!
Come Sakhi let's talk to elder brother. -
While taking his dip Durbasa felt
a tremor in his body and mind -
What am I doing, I have fallen
into deceit, I am now an instrument of evil
working for Duryodhana's agency -
Why should I torture the innocent Pandavas?
How can they feed hundreds of us
when they are deceived into penury
losing their royal bearing, are now
languishing in the forest bare bodied
how can I mortgage my wisdom to evil?
If I am an enlightened
sage I cannot
stoop to villainy to flatter Duryodhana.
Durbasa took another dip when he got up
he was at peace, his belly was full
his world and mind had an illumination:
He said, dear disciples let's now -
No Gurudev we are not hungry for we feel
satiated, we get the scent of the divine.
Well then, said the Rishi, let's bless them
and go our way to heal
the bruised victims of blind egotism.
Krishna questioned Yudhistira's apathy
to life's malignant barbs saying,
brother don't think this world rewards
the good if the good looks up the sky
in idle expectation, good must prove
itself time and again by deeds and
when evil tramples your good must
fight back and snatch from the jaws
of evil its own place in earth's bosom.
The rotten mangoes fall, the ripe
tasty fruits must be plucked
by desire and Karma, only the
crippled wait for things to happen.
The strong and good make things happen
brother Yudhistira now prepare at least
to show you are capable, you are strong
otherwise Duryodhana will rob your life
and throw it in the dump yard of time.
Yudhistira and the brothers bowed,
Yudhistira said, if you are with us Vasudeva
these years of painful
life will fortify
our resolve, we shall now prepare
for the final encounter with evil.
The Pandavas crouched in fear
what can we feed them
destitutes as we are,
they lay prostrate at Durbasa's feet
in true reverence: Rise up Yudhistira,
we are not hungry,
your truthful ways have filled us
with extra worldly energy and
we are fortunate in having a darsan
of Krishna Vasudev, we are all blessed.
Vasudev knelt down and bowed
Draupadi touched Durbasa's feet
all the rishis sprinkled water
on the bowed heads and the sage
blessed them all - your days of
horror will end soon, may you all
see brighter days and get back
what is yours, remember
bad times purge your soul to enjoy
the bliss of good to do good to others.
They left chanting slokas of peace
Krishna smiled at Draupadi - See
a sage's thoughts are not in the belly
go now pave the way for your
future to walk on benign soil.
