DRAUPADI
The dusky firebrand
In the Mahabharata, Draupadi is the daughter of king Drupada, sprung from the sacrificial fire. In a contest among the princes for her hand, Arjuna wins. She becomes the wife of the five Pandavas of whom Arjuna was one. In the game of dice with the Kauravas, Draupadi is pawned away by the eldest Pandava. Dragged to the court, she questions the wise elders on the injustice to her. Even so, she suffers indignities until Krishna comes to her rescue. Draupadi accompanies the Pandavas in their exile, cares for them and faces tests imposed on her as a housewife. Yet she constantly reminds them of their obligation to regain the lost kingdom and to punish the wicked, including the Kauravas.
