Week 6 Story: Draupadi Finds Her True Love
Image information: Draupadi, Image credit: Back To Godhead
From the burning fire of the sacrificial ritual, there she rose beside her twin brother, Dhrishtadyumna, the daughter of King Drupada, Draupadi. Her eyes were as black as a raven, and they were as large as lotus-petals. With long curly dark-blue hair, Draupadi had a slightly darker complexion. For a moment in time, the tree leaves stood still in her presence; and the fire flared silently behind her. Indeed, her beauty was unparalleled to any common woman and man on earth.
With her beauty so great, she attracted men far and wide across the nation. Her father was quick to use this as an advantage to hold a swayamyara for the beautiful princess, where the winner of the contest would marry Draupadi. However, the princess refused to be part of the ancient practice of choosing a husband, from among a list of suitors. She strongly believed that each and every woman should have the right to choose her own husband according to her time, and not because the girl is of a marriageable age. With that being said, she fled from her home in Panchala in hopes of escaping the control of her father.
Stopping by a river in the midst of her travel to wash her clothes, the princess heard a wail coming from a nearby wooded area. She stood up quickly, and ran toward the high-pitched cry of what sounded like a little girl in pain. Following the sound of the cry, Draupadi reached a little girl, with her foot caught in a trap after chasing a bunny, was already being tended by a handsome archer. As she walked closer to the man, she could feel her heart racing in admiration and awe. From that moment, she knew that whoever this man was, he was going to be her husband.
Author’s Note: In the original story “Birth of Draupadi” written by Donald A. Mackenzie, the author writes about the Pandava brother traveling to the ancient kingdom of northern India, Panchala, to attend the swayamvara of the beautiful princess Draupadi. With that being said, instead of Draupadi agreeing to hold the swayamvara similar to the original story, I wanted to change her view on the idea of choosing a husband. After much research done on Draupadi, I thought that it felt more right writing a story that showed how strong Draupadi was and how she believed in the freedom of choosing husband, as well as her future.
Sara,
ReplyDeleteYour story was so beautiful! I loved how you described Draupadi and her beauty. From the story I was able to grasp the sense that she was independent and strong. A lot of these stories portray women in a very demeaning way as though they are dependent and always in need of a man to save them or complete their life (in terms of cultural ways like the marriageable age). I understand how that can spark an idea as a story to give these women the freedom they deserve. This is very true, but unfortunately such a mindset from these stories pervades reality even. Much of the culture in India and at times for immigrant families here still deal with a lack of independence for women.
Sara Great story! I think your twist on the original is much more empowering and strong! It is very important for anyone regardless of sex be able to choose what life they live. When picking a spouse it is important that you like them and have a lot in common. Which is something that women even today don't have the luxury to do. I think your story was awesome Great job!
ReplyDeleteSara,
ReplyDeleteYou really have a way with words! I loved your description of Draupadi and loved even more her freedom to choose her own husband. This is the third story I have come across where the marriage story was switched to where she had the say rather than her father or her husband. I think it is safe to say the students of this class did not like the way she ended up with 5 husbands, but I definitely loved your version!
Sara, I really appreciate your writing style from this story. It's awesome you know how to add so much description and detail to your stories that make them so much more interesting and intriguing for the reader! I really enjoyed your twist as well, because its nice to not know what it going to happen at the end! Great job.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara,
ReplyDeleteWOW you have such a gift with words! I love how detail and descriptive you got with your story. I love the creativity that showed through in your writing! This was such a good story to read and with your added details, it make it so much more empowering for Druapadi. I like the mysterious open ended ending because it keeps readers in their toes! Great Job!
Hello again Sara! I think this is my favorite of your stories that I have read. It's written very well and contains some nice imagery. Draupadi is definitely one of the more important characters in the Mahabharata, and I wouldn't call her helpless. So, I definitely think your retelling is fitting to Draupadi's character to some extent. It was very beautifully put, and I am glad I got to read it in the last blog comment assignment. Have a nice semester!
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