DAROPADI (DRAUPADI) By remembering (the Lord), Draupadi, the daughter of king Draupad was redeemed. (Gond Namdev, p. 874) In the court of Duhsasana, Draupadi was saved (by the Lord), when her clothes were being tåken off. (Mali Gauri Namdev, p. 988) Panchali (the daughter of the king of Panchal i.e. Draupadi) thought of the Lord in the royal court; the Merciful Lord removed her suffering and enhanced His own Honour. (Maru M. 9, p. 1008) Draupadi (also called Draupad-Suta and Panchali) was the daughter of Drupada, the king of Panchal. In her swayyamvara, Arjuna, one of the five Pandavas became the selected bridegroom.
But when the five brothers reached home with Draupadi, they told their mother of the great acquisition, she told them to share the same. Thus Draupadi became the common wife of all the five Pandavas. In the gambling match with Kauravas, Yudhishthira lost everything, his kingdom, his brothers, himselfand their wife Draupadi. Thus Draupadi became a slave. She was called by Duryodhana to come and sweep the room. When she refused, she was dragged by Duhsasana, the younger brother of Duryodhana by her hair. Duryodhana invited her to sit on his thigh.
Moreover, her garments were ordered to be tåken off. The Pandavas could not come to her help. In this state of predicament, she remembered Lord Kristina, who restored her garments as fast as they were torn. She vowed that her hair would remain dishevelled till she was not avenged by her husbands. After the twelve years of exile by the Pandavas, they had to remain incognito for another year. During this period, Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, took away Draupadi forcefully.
Bhima and Arjuna followed him and suitably punished him. Within this thirteenth year, Kichaka, the commander-in-chief of Virata annoyed her by his importunities and insults. Bhima killed Kichaka and saved Draupadi. She had five sons, one by each husband. On the last night of the great war all these five sons were killed by Aswatthaman mistaking them to be the five Pandavas.
Arjuna avenged this act of Aswatthaman by taking from him the celebrated jewel, which he wore as an amulet. When the Pandavas retired from the world and went on their journey towards the Himalayas and Indra\’s heaven, she accompanied them but she was the first to fall on the journey. See : Durjodhana (Duryodhana) and Krishna
References :
1. Kohli, Surindar Singh (ed), Dictionary of Mythological References in Guru Granth Sahib, 1993
Draupadi in Hindu Mythology
Draupadi, also known as Panchali or Yajnaseni, is a central figure in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. She is celebrated for her beauty, courage, and resilience. Here are key aspects of her story:
Birth and Marriage:
- Draupadi was born from a sacrificial fire (yajna) performed by King Drupada, making her ayonija (not born from a womb). She was destined to play a pivotal role in the epic.
- Her marriage was determined through a svayamvara (self-choice ceremony), where Arjuna won her hand. Due to a misunderstanding with their mother Kunti, Draupadi became the wife of all five Pandavas.
Role in the Mahabharata:
- Draupadi’s humiliation in the Kaurava court, where Dushasana attempted to disrobe her, is one of the most dramatic moments in the epic. Her modesty was miraculously preserved by Lord Krishna, who extended her garment endlessly.
- She accompanied the Pandavas during their exile and played a significant role in their quest for justice and dharma.
Symbolism:
- Draupadi represents strength, dignity, and the fight against injustice. Her unwavering devotion to dharma and her ability to endure hardships make her an enduring symbol of womanhood.
Legacy:
- Draupadi is revered as one of the Panchakanya (five virgins) in Hindu tradition, whose names are believed to dispel sin when recited.
Draupadi in the Guru Granth Sahib
In Sikh scriptures, Draupadi is mentioned as a metaphor for divine intervention and the power of devotion. Her story is used to convey spiritual lessons:
Key References:
- Gond Namdev, p. 874: “By remembering (the Lord), Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, was redeemed.”
- Mali Gauri Namdev, p. 988: “In the court of Dushasana, Draupadi was saved (by the Lord) when her clothes were being taken off.”
- Maru M. 9, p. 1008: “Panchali thought of the Lord in the royal court; the Merciful Lord removed her suffering and enhanced His own honor.”
Sikh Interpretation:
- Draupadi’s story is used to illustrate the importance of meditating on God’s name (Naam) and trusting in divine grace during times of adversity.
- Her rescue by Krishna is seen as an example of God’s intervention to protect the righteous.
Philosophical Context:
- Sikh teachings emphasize that devotion and remembrance of God can liberate one from suffering and injustice, as exemplified by Draupadi’s story.
