
We’re at an important juncture wherein Sairandhri (Draupati) is being physically harassed yet another time in the public courtroom – This time by Keechaka at Viraata Desha. Even as Sairandhri sounds an alarm, the king of Viraata Desha is reluctant to take any action on Keechaka, as he is a very powerful and an influencial person in the kingdom. Rather than giving a stern reply to Draupati’s appeal, the king says that he would “investigate” into the matter and then take a call on this! Upon hearing this diplomatic answer, Sairandhri is furious and warns the king of dire consequences for his gross inaction for such heinous crimes happening in broad daylight. She quotes how Draupati had a similar experience at Hastinapura and how the entire kingdom is at a brink of grave danger. As Sairandhri talks about all these, Yudishtra gets a bit alarmed. He realizes that Sairandhri is going a bit too much overboard, which might result in revealing her identity in front of the entire courtroom. Thus, Yudishtra issues a veiled warning to Sairandhri, not to talk any further and instead, just go back to her chamber and mind her own business. Even if this infuriates Sairandhri, she did not have an option but to go back. She realizes that Yudishtra’s words, even though they are harmful to her at that point, are beneficial in the long run.
As Sairandhri returns back hastily to her room, she issues a curse as she walks along. Sairandhri says thus, “Oh King of Viraata Desha! Whomsoever is responsible for this crime, will be taught a befitting lesson by my five “Gandharva” husbands at some point in time. Maybe this might not be the time they can actually come and attack, but there will definitely be a time wherein their invincibility will be shown to this world!” As Draupati walks back thus, people around her start shaking with fear! Already, many people are feeling that the time from which these six of them entered into the Viraata Desha, all inauspicious things are happening in the kingdom. Moreover, with Sairandhri cursing thus, the fear only adds up even further in all of them! Unable to bare this torture any further, Sairandhri secretly approaches Vallabha (Bheemasena) and cries to him thus, “Oh Bheemasena! Isn’t your blood boiling upon seeing your wife being insulted publicly for the second time? Aren’t you feeling bad upon seeing me suffer like this? If you’re not, then what kind of a husband are you? Why can’t you take some action?”
As Draupati appeals to Bheemasena thus, Bheemasena makes out a plan quickly. He replies to Draupati thus, “Oh Draupati! I’m just keeping quiet upon seeing all this for two reasons – Firstly, if Yudishtra says something, it is as per the principles of “Dharma” and we’re bound to follow his words. Secondly, if we over-react at this point, we might end up revealing ourselves, and the consequences of that would be another twelve years of Vana-Vaasam and another year of Agnyaata Vaasam. We are almost at the fag end of the Agnyaata Vaasam and it is just a matter of a few more months. Hence, we should be extremely careful here. Of course, I’m not justifying that we should be quiet when such gross “Adharma” is happening. Now let us make a plan – You now go to Keechaka and say that you’re ready to accept him and you’ve changed your mind now. Slowly you draw him into the room where dance and other art forms are being performed and I shall dress like you and lie down at the entrance of that room. You do not come there, but you ask him to come. I shall take care of the rest!”
This plan excites Draupati immediately and she accepts it. Accordingly, Draupati goes to Keechaka and explains that she had changed her mind and she is now willing to accept him. Moreover, she invites him to the dance room wherein she is waiting for him after a few minutes! Draupati says all these things in a very convincing and in a way wherein Keechaka’s desires are kindled. Keechaka too accepts Draupati’s words, unaware of the dire consequences that he is going to face! Thus, as per the plan, Keechaka comes to the dance room and meanwhile, Bheemasena pulls up a long skirt-like dress upon him, covers himself and sleeps on the floor, in a way that a woman would sleep! Keechaka enters inside the hall and upon seeing a “woman” lying down, he thinks that it is Sairandhri who is lying down there! Thus, Keechaka expresses his desires with all the wrong words possible and tries to touch the person who is sleeping!
So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness what happened next! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂