Prafulla Kumar Mohanty's
DRAUPADI - 67
Seasons passed as usual
time's unseen wings flapped
the lapping sounds had no magic
trees fell and rose grass died
into a green birth, the misty wind
gave shivering shocks, changing
directions to sweep away dry leaves
to awaken green shoots to relish
storms in uncanny silence:
But Draupadi's mind has only
one season of all pervading gloom
sunlight fails to penetrate the thick
layers of murky agony, the moon
is always in the dark fortnight
spring summer and rain move
in concentric circles churning her
mind.
The exile years rolled on testing
their patience, resilience and
resolve
it was the last month of the twelfth
year
Yudhistira was worried where to go
for the year of incognito living.
Duryodhana's spies are everywhere
land and waterways are watched
where to go was the question in the
Pandava mind, the brothers sat
worried.
Yudhistira said Panchal is not the
right
kingdom for us although we will get
all
protection and care, but we can
scarce
maintain secrecy, our identities
cannot
be hidden under false theatrics
as the palace will treat us deferentially.
We cannot be spy proof in Kampilya.
Bhima said why not live for a year
in Hidimba's care in the caves far
away
from the roaming eyes of Duryodhana?
Arjuna said Brother, there may be
physical safety but we must not
lose contact with our close relations
as we have to prepare for war -
suddenly
Three rishi's appeared, appeal in
their
eyes, distress and disgust in their
person
we came for help Yudhistira an antler
has carried away the yajna firewood.
We have failed chasing him would you
kindly help us - Arjuna, Bhima,
Yudhistira
and the twins immediately rushed at
the direction pointed out by the
rishis.
Draupadi too of curiosity followed
them
they saw the antler's branched horns
had the pieces of yajna wood, Nakula
took aim with a stone but Yudhistira
checked him, no harm should come to
the poor
antler, let's catch him; but the stag
was so agile and fast, they could not
catch him, all their energies sapped
yet the stag was free. He moved into
the dark woods leaving the Pandavas
gasping for breath, in the midst of
trees and shrubbery fearfully deep
and thick full of thorns and wild
growth.
All the brothers were thirsty without
energy to move further in search of
water - yet they did move about
there was no stream pond or the
murmur
of a distant flow of water real or
illusive.
The afternoon sun parched their
throats
they sat on a mound in helpless
stupor
Nakula dragged his anxious feet a
distance,
climbed a tree scanned his tired eyes
saw a distant pond and shouted;
Brother there is water
not far away come to the north
it's blue sheen pleases the eyes
I'll go drink and bring you water,
so saying he rushed into the thicket
the brothers waited in eager breath:
Draupadi said - let's follow him,
Yudhistira waved his hand, he'll
bring
let's wait; they waited till the sun
turned grey and drained its lustre.
Bhima in impatience stood up, let me
see where Nakula is - and walked away
-
He too did not return till the sun was
fully westward hurrying for home.
Arjuna went out to search for the two
when the sun turned molten gold
in pale descent, Sahadeva followed
after a few anxious breaths lost
rhythm in apprehension, Yudhistira
sat
in irate impatience thirst yielding
to
fear of unseen calamity - Draupadi
in sunken heart urged Yudhistira
to go and look for his brothers - the
sun
is now poised on the mountains
preparing for duty's end, the
returning
birds in hungry clamour call their
young ones not to fear the twilight.
Please go my thirsty eyes are
drooping -
Yes yes I know, I am worried, let me go,
you can come with me if you wish.
Yudhistira walked full of misgivings
what he saw milched his energy
his dear brothers lay dead on the
banks of the lake of crystal waters.
