pandav-draupadi ss

EXPERIENCES IN THE EXILE: THE PANDAV-DRAUPADI SS

WHATEVER STATED IN THE MAHABHARATA MAY BE NOTICED ELSEWHERE - BUT WHAT IT DOES NOT UTTER IS NOWHERE IN THE WORLD

Sensing that inner essence of the PANCHAMAVEDA( fifth of the Vedas), the ITIHASA(history) i.e the Mahabharata I was in great dilemma how to deal with this vast ocean of knowledge. Then it occurred in my mind that if the Bharatkatha has the greatness to embrace all the ideas and matters of the universe, then I can also be a part of this never ending search of truth in human relationship and lives through this humble, creative effort.

DISCLAIMER:

The proposed piece of writing is totally a creative work with an aim to explore the emotional world of the Pandavas,the mighty warrior princes of the Dwapara era and their common wife, Draupadi. The basic ideas and context of the short story are, however, derived the original story of the epic, Mahabharata. Whatever Vedvyasji stated in his immortal creation are not only related with the moral, social and philosophical issues of human lives but can also raise a lot of psychological and emotional queries. The proposed short story is planned to entertain the readers by dealing with these issues and not to hurt anyone's personal beliefs. The literary work is exclusively an illustration of the author's own observations and understanding about the epic story and its characters. It is hoped that the short story would welcome constructive criticisms and appreciation (if any) from the august readers.

PROLOGUE

It was just a few months after that fateful dice game episode. The Pandavas were deprived of all their property, wealth and political power and banished from their kingdom to live in the exile. After several discussions, they have now settled down in the Dwaitavan, a forest beside the river Saraswati. They were accompanied by their family priest, Rishi Dhaumya and a few Brahmins and monks. Moreover their wife Draupadi was with them. Even after that horrible disaster, they are still together in this dense forest. But their family life is now totally shattered. Mata Kunti is living alone in Hastinapur at uncle Vidur's house. All the children and wives of the Pandavas other than Draupadi have been sent to their maternal abodes. Only six of them are now left to share the pain, hardship and stresses of this so long exile. But all these challenges would sure not to be equal to that horrible experience at the dice hall. A few days ago when they stayed in the Kamyakavan, Krishna Vasudev, their cousin and above all their dearest friend, philosopher and guide visited the forest. Draupadi's father and her brothers were also there. Their presence, the long, hot debates, diplomatic discussions, emotional outbursts stirred their lives and senses again. Maharaj Drupad and his sons were not in a mood to reconcile. The dear daughter of the king, the pampered sister of the Panchala princes was so brutally insulted and humiliated by the Kauravas in the presence of her husbands! How could king Drupad forgive the Kuru family and also his sons-in-law? He was even ready to take his daughter with him to Kampilya. Krishna, however, convinced him to some extent about the dire need of their being together. Now these five men and the lady are searching the way of living together. But does this togetherness fulfill all the needs and desire of a family life? This question echoes in the minds of those six persons who once vowed not to be separated from each other.

Beautiful concept! Loved the prologue 😊 It's like a Christmas gift for a hexagon lover like me 😳 thank you for posting this finally.

Thanks a lot. Your comments and suggestions are extremely valuable for me.

Originally posted by: Avyakta

Now these five men and the lady are searching the way of living together. But does this togetherness fulfill all the needs and desire of a family life? This question echoes in the minds of those six persons who once vowed not to be separated from each other.----

Very interesting beginning ! Waiting to read further .

Thanks a lot for your appreciation. I will try my best to maintain this standard.

Originally posted by: Urmila11

Beautiful concept! Loved the prologue 😊 It's like a Christmas gift for a hexagon lover like me 😳 thank you for posting this finally.

Thank you so much. I will post the next part very soon.

Originally posted by: Radhikerani

This was so beautifully presented! I'm sure I'll get to learn a lot from this. Waiting...

If I will be able to project some positive dimensions through my writing it will be the highest reward for me. Thank you very much for supporting me.

Loved it didu !!
So beautifully penned down...
The journey begins! Surely through ur ss this divine hexagon is all set to teach us about living, loving, & life! 😊

PART ONE

A SEARCH INTO THE HEARTS: YUDHISTHIR

Life has now become a nightmare, a constant torment for him. He was helplessly and constantly praying for a death, a total devastation of all human feelings on that day at Hastinapur. But God did not spare him to die but to annihilate all those pains, sufferings, humiliation like a senseless creature. Just a single mistake, one wrong decision of him has paid back a lifelong punishment, a pathetic slow poisoning of his mind, body and soul. He still seems to be a serene, composed and merciful man, but only he knows that he is no longer a living being but a corpse with all signs of life. He is the eldest of his brothers, the head of the family and a responsible Khatriya warrior to follow all the worldly duties and conventions. But how can he perform these responsibilities? His soul, inspiration, joy, strength and desire are no longer with him. She is not with him though they live in the same hut in this forest. He can see her over days and nights, he can smell the enigmatic fragrance of her body, admire the supernatural, youthful beauty of her but can not claim her any more. He has staked her, NO...not her, but his own life and fortune and lost everything. How can he now survive? Yudhisthir who is known for his mental stability and steadfastness is now in this great dilemma. Panchali does not exchange a single word with him except a few familial queries. She fulfills all her domestic scores silently without complaining for her discomfort and sufferings in the exile. It makes Yudhisthir more disturbed and panic stricken. He knows the nature of his wife very well. She is quite short tempered and outspoken just opposite to him. But he loves this fiery nature of his wife. Because she actually compliments him. But now she has become a totally different person, withdrawn herself from all sensitivities, concern and confined herself within a self imposed cage. He knows that she will never forgive him, never accept him. He has lost her forever. He will never be that fortunate one to enjoy the warmth of her touch, essence of her presence in his life. Maharaj Drupad reached here a few days ago and he insisted to take her with him to teach them a lesson for his misdeed. Vashudev, however, managed the situation for the time being. But how can Yudhisthir make Drupad convinced that his daughter has already disowned him. Staying together not always means being together. After that fateful day, Yudhisthir has understood it very clearly that their lives would never be normal again. Still he had some hope when his Krishnaa"the sweetest name he has ever heard in his life prayed for his freedom from the blind king, expressed her concern for their kids. He began to nurture a slight hope in his heart that she might still love him, care for him. When she decided to accompany them in the forest he was worried about her safety and comfort in the exile. But innermost of his heart he sensed a kind of joyful feelings to have her with them. But it was just an illusion. She is physically with them, but emotionally she is nowhere. Yudhisthir moves from one sage to another, seeks solace for his painful soul, tries to find some philosophical, spiritual explanations for their sufferings. Sometimes it works as a healing touch to his wounded heart. But it never helps his wife to overcome her grief. What should he do to make her lively, happy again? They usually do not talk to each other. Yudhisthir spends most of the time outside their abode. He actually wants to avoid her lifeless presence. He sheds tears in secret, often wakes up at night just to stare at her as if her existence has also become a doubtful thing for him. How far does he endure this pain? He wants to be with her, to shower his unalloyed love on her again. He will accept all her blame, disbeliefs. At least she will then have to talk to him, call him Aarya' or by mistake she may call him by that secret name which she loved very much . It will then certainly be a blissful moment for him. Please Panchali - talk to me , say something to me' - Yudhisthir's heart is now pounding with this silent prayer all the time, longing for that special moment to be with his wife, with his love again.

Yudhisthir, the man known for his serenity and stability has now become a helpless person in search of some peace and affection. Nobody except Bhimsen and his in -laws have critized him directly for his misdeeds. His other brothers have now become more quiet, ready to obey his orders. Is it out of affection, pity or a kind of protest and ignorance? Until that fateful day, all five of them used to share their sorrows, grief, joy, achievement and even emotional feelings with each other. They did not even hesitate to express their concern for Panchali among themselves. Yudhisthir , however, had a confidence that having Draupadi with them they are invincible, strong enough to resist all odds. But now the situation seems to be changed. Bhimsen has openly challenged his authority and love for Panchali. Arjun does not utter a single word against him or asks about his right to stake Krishnaa. His silence and reluctance itself appears to be a pathetic torture for him. Nakul is totally devastated. It has now become his another tension how to bring his playful, energetic brother back to his normal life. And Sahadev - the most pampered and serious minded brother of him looks like a senseless person. He has become more self centered as if absorbed in some remote thought. He is not even ready to respond to the minimum familial affairs. Yudhisthir can no longer share his confusions, anxieties with his brothers. His family, his dream have now come on the verge of ruin. How can he save it from this calamity?