Reading Notes - Mahabharata Part A Notes
Focus on One Character - Draupadi
Born from a sacrificial fire from King Drupada of Panchala, described as beautiful
Drupada wished for revenge against the Bharatas after they attacked him
After the Pandavas escaped from the attack that Duryodhana launched on them they stayed in a town and then went to Panchala to compete for Draupadi’s hand in marriage
Many suitors wanted Draupadi
Also went by “Krishna with a long “a” at the end”, meaning dark
Was an archer contest
Karna, a half-brother to the Pandavas, almost won by was adopted and raised by charioteers o Draupadi refused to marry him
One of the brothers, Arjuna, won the contest but when he brought Draupadi home to his mother, the mother said to share whatever he brought home with his brothers, thinking it was food, but could not take her word back when she found out it was a girl so Draupadi married all five brothers
Draupadi’s father agreed but was dismayed she had to marry all five brothers
Arjuna goes into a self-imposed exile after entering Draupadi’s room unbidden when Yudhishthira was there and his brother Yudhishthira gambled away everything including his brothers, himself, and Draupadi.
They take Draupadi and try to rape her but by divine protection, she is saved because they keep replacing the clothing on her as the men try and tear it off
After being granted boons she wished for her brothers to be free but Yudhishthira gambles again and they all have to go on a twelve-year exile and the thirteenth year in disguise
Kincaid, C. (1921). The Indian Heroes: Mahabharata - The Princes of Elephant City.
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