Indian Myth and LegendMackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
History
Indian Myth and Legend
Mackenzie, Donald A. (Donald Alexander)
Hindu mythology; Legends -- India
Said stern and cruel Duhsasana: “Even if thou wert naked now, thou must
follow me. Hast thou not become a slave, fairly staked and fairly won?
Henceforth thou wilt serve among the other menials.”
Trembling and faint, Draupadi was dragged through the streets by
Duhsasana. When she stood before the elders and the chieftains in the
pavilion she cried: “Forgive me because that I have come hither in this
unseemly plight....”
Bhishma and Drona and the other elders who were there hung their heads
in shame.
Unto Duhsasana Draupadi said angrily: “Cease thy wickedness! Defile me
no longer with unclean hands. A woman's hair is sacred.”
Sacred indeed were the locks of the Pandava queen, for they had been
sprinkled with water sanctified by mantras at the imperial sacrifice.
Weeping, she cried: “Hear and help me, O ye elders. You have wives
and children of your own. Will you permit this wrong to be continued.
Answer me now.”
But no man spake a word.
Draupadi wept and said: “Why this silence?... Will no man among ye
protect a sinless woman?... Lost is the fame of the Kauravas, the
ancient glory of Bharata, and the prowess of the Kshatriyas!... Why
will not the sons of Pandu protect their outraged queen?... And hath
Bhishma lost his virtue and Drona his power?... Will Yudhishthira no
longer defend one who is wronged?... Why are ye all silent while this
deed of shame is done before you?”
As she spake thus, Draupadi glanced round the sons of Pandu one by one,
and their hearts thirsted for vengeance. Bhishma's face was dark, Drona
clenched his teeth, and Vidura, white and angry, gazed upon Duhsasana
with amaze while he tore off Draupadi's veil and addressed her with
foul words. When she looked towards the Kaurava brethren, Duhsasana
said: “Ha! on whom darest thou to look now, O slave?”
Shakuni and Kama laughed to hear Draupadi called a slave, and they
cried out: “Well spoken, well spoken!”
Duhsasana endeavoured to strip the princess naked before the assembly;
but Draupadi, in her distress, prayed aloud to Krishna, invoking him
as the creator of all and the soul of the universe, and entreated him
to help her. Krishna heard her, and multiplied her garments so that
Duhsasana was unable to accomplish his wicked purpose.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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