In the previous episode, we had witnessed Draupati being dragged into the courtroom by Duchhaasana, as per Duryodhana’s instruction. This is an extremely critical moment in the entire set of events that are unfolding at Hastinapura, rather quickly as Vidura anticipated earlier. He had earlier warned King Dhridiraashtra not to proceed with the gambling game further, however, his words of wisdom weren’t to be heard by anyone in the courtroom. As Vidura had warned, things are only going southwards, with Duryodhana gaining more and more arrogance by the minute. As Yudishtra loses Draupati in the game, she is now dragged into the courtroom and Duryodhana’s plan is to abduct her as his “Daasi” in front of Yudishtra and Co., which would humiliate and insult them the most! The agenda is very clear here for Duryodhana – Do whatever it takes to humiliate Yudishtra, so that he would never ever desire for a kingdom or for a luxurious life! As we had witnessed yesterday, Draupati asks a few questions to King Dhridiraashtra and Bhishmachaarya as to whether these heinous acts done by Duryodhana and Co. are as per “Dharma” or not! As Bhishmachaarya doesn’t have an answer to Draupati’s legitimate questions, he quickly “passes the buck” on to Yudishtra himself, since he’s considered an epitome of “Dharma”.
Meanwhile, as Draupati is about to question her own husband, Vikarna intervenes and since he’s a good person by heart, he comes to the support of Draupati. Vikarna explains to Duryodhana and Co. that their wrongful and sinful acts are going to lead them and the Hastinapura kingdom towards disaster. However, Karna isn’t going to hold himself back. He’s coming now to support Duryodhana. Karna answers Vikarna thus, “Oh Vikarna! Please do not talk about all these at this moment! The game is over and as per the rule, Draupati has been won over! Hence, who gave her the right to stand here and question all of us? “Daasis” do not have the authority to question the king or the prince. Their only job is to do what the king and the prince says! Hence, Draupati should only obey whatever Duryodhana says, and shouldn’t talk anything back!”
As Karna says thus, Duryodhana gains more courage. He taps his lap with his hands and asks Draupati to sit on his lap in front of everyone! This is the next arrogant move that Duryodhana makes, which stuns everybody in the courtroom! Neither Bhishmachaarya nor Guru Dhronachaarya expected this to happen! They couldn’t digest what they were witnessing right in front of their eyes! Vidura is fuming with anger. He wants to intervene atleast at this stage, but now things are totally out of control! There’s no use of Vidura explaining “Dharma” at this stage! “Adharma” has taken over the centre-stage and there’s no other option but to remain as a mute spectator! Duryodhana calls out Draupati with irritating and unbearable words thus, “Oh my dear “Daasi”! This Duryodhana has won over you today! Thus, from this moment, you should do all what I want you to do. You should satisfy me in every way possible! Hence, I now desire that you come and sit on my lap in front of everybody! Let this be a visual treat for all people who are assembled here! Let Duryodhana’s power be known to the entire world!”
As Duryodhana utters these unbearable words, Yudishtra and Co. are fuming with extreme anger! They did not anticipate things to go this awry! They were waiting for a chance to retaliate against Duryodhana’s heinous acts, but this isn’t the time to do that. Hence, Yudishtra was just waiting with enormous patience to see what unfolds. As all of them look stunningly thus, Ducchaasana is now going to take the extreme step! Enraged and fully charged by Duryodhana’s words, Ducchaasana stands up, rushes towards Draupati and wants to perform a physical assault on her! As the entire courtroom is looking on, Duchhaasana starts pulling Drapuati towards him, so that she can go and fall over Duryodhana. As Draupati resists and defends herself, Duchhaasana decides to humiliate her further! Rather than pushing her towards Duryodhana immediately, he decides that he would unstrip her saree and then push her towards him, which would be an even more greater insult to Draupati and the Paandavas!
Deciding thus, Ducchaasana takes the extreme step now – He starts pulling out Draupati’s saree amidst the entire courtroom! This is the ultimate step that anybody can take – Physical assault of a woman in public! This comes as a rude shock for everyone! Bhishmachaarya closes his eyes unbearably and so does Guru Dhronachaarya! Vidura turns his face away in anger, shock and shame, whereas Yudishtra couldn’t see this sight of his own wife being humiliated like this in public! He is in tears of shock and frustration! Bheemasena is fuming extremely with anger! His anger is such that if given an opportunity, he would crush Duryodhana and Sahuni then and there for his lunch! The Paandava brothers are clearly humiliated to the maximum extent possible! Ducchaasana starts undressing Draupati in public, and she cries for help! Even as Draupati was crying aloud, nobody came forward to rescue her! Yudishtra wanted to rush to the center, only to be stopped by Duryodhana! Duryodhana reminds Yudishtra and Co. by saying that they do not have any right to even touch Draupati anymore!
Saying thus, Duryodhana burst out into laughter, along with his other brothers and Sahuni seated by his side! He was enjoying the act of Duchhaasana pulling out Draupati’s saree! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and let us try and digest this heinous happening at Hastinapura! We shall wait till the next episode to find out who came to the rescue of Draupati and how did this happen! Stay tuned!
The Indian Dharma 