Draupadi
Draupadi
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Draupadi
Raja Ravi Varma, Pleasing.jpg
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma
Texts Mahabharata Edit this on Wikidata
Personal Information
Spouse Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, Sahadeva, Yudhisthira Edit this on Wikidata
Children Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Shrutakirti Edit this on Wikidata
Parents
Drupada Edit this on Wikidata (father)
Siblings Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi Edit this on Wikidata
Draupadi (Sanskrit ???????, Sanskrit pronunciation [d?r??p?d?i]) is one of the most
important female characters in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata.[1] According to the
epic, she is the daughter of Drupada, King of Panchala.
Contents [hide]
1 Etymology
2 Birth
3 Marriage
4 Living in Indraprastha
4.1 Duryodhana's insult
5 The game of dice
6 Living in exile
6.1 Abduction by Jayadratha
6.2 Kichaka's death
7 Kurukshetra War
7.1 Ashwatthama
8 Death and to heaven
9 Children
9.1 Polyandry
9.2 Draupadi as a village god
10 In media and television
11 Druapadi as an epitome of feminism
12 See also
13 References
14 Sources
15 External links
Etymology[edit]
Like other epic characters, Draupadi is referred to by multiple names in the
Mahabharata. Her names are as follows
Living in Indraprastha[edit]
With the Pandavas' survival revealed, a succession crisis was started. Upon the
news of Yudhishthira's death, the title of crown prince had fallen to Duryodhana.
Dhritrashtra invites the Pandavas to Hastinapur and proposes that the kingdom be
divided. The Pandavas are assigned the wasteland Khandavprastha, referred to as
unreclaimed desert. Drupada becomes enraged at the perceived insult towards his
daughter; at Yudhishthira's prodding, Draupadi pacifies her father despite her own
misgivings. With the help of Krishna, Pandavas rebuilt Khandavprastha into the
glorious Indraprastha. The crown jewel of the kingdom was built at the Khandava
forest, where Draupadi resided in the Palace of Illusions.[7] Yudhishthira
performed the Rajasuya Yagna with Draupadi by his side; the Pandavas gained
lordship over many regions.[8]
Duryodhana's insult[edit]
Not present in older versions of the epic, there is a story that cements the hatred
Duryodhana has for Draupadi.
Duryodhana and his entourage explored the keep during their visit to Yudhishthira's
Rajasuya Yagna. While touring the grounds, Duryodhana falls prey to one of the many
illusions. When Duryodhana stepped on the apparently solid part of the courtyard,
there was a splash and Duryodhana found himself waist deep in water, drenched from
head to foot by the hidden pool. Draupadi and her maids saw this from the balcony
and were amused. Duryodhana felt extremely insulted that Draupadi and her maids saw
his embarrassing predicament. Draupadi joked Andhasya Putra Andhaha meaning a blind
man's son is blind.[9] In some other versions of the Mahabharatha, Bhima, Arjuna,
and the twin brothers alongside their retinues witness Duryodhana's fall and
laughed with their servants. Some say the popular insult of a blind man's son is
believed to be a later addition. Duryodhana felt insulted by the behaviors of the
four Pandavas, stoking his hatred of them. [9]
Draupadi is presented in a parcheesi game where Yudhishthira has gambled away all
his material wealth.
This key incident is often considered to mark a definitive moment in the story of
Mahabharata. It is one of the driving reasons that ultimately led to the
Kurukshetra war.
Together with his maternal uncle Shakuni, Duryodhana conspired to call on the
Pandavas to Hastinapur and win their kingdoms in a game of gambling. The plan's
archit