We all are responsible!

 

As the servant returned once again to assembly & relayed Draupadi’s question to elders about following moral path, everyone remained silent, with their heads lowered in shame. They knew very well Duryodhana’s determination & were afraid to contradict him

 

Yudhisthira then ordered a trusted messenger: Go quickly & tell Draupadi that she should come before assembly & with tears in her eyes make an appeal to Dhritrāshtra herself. At this time other Pāndavās couldn’t decide what to do, overwhelmed with grief & duty bound to follow their elder brother

 

Duryodhana’s servant could not bear to approach Draupadi again & seeing this derided him for being a coward & commanded Dushasana to bring her by force. Dushasana received this order with great delight & after coming before Draupadi said: You’ve been won by Kauravas & so now you must appear before the assembly

 

Because she was in her menstrual period, Draupadi was dressed in a single piece of cloth. The sight of Dushasana was unbearable for her & so she quickly got up from her seat & ran towards where the ladies of Dhritrāshtra household were seated. This angered Dushasana & he ran after Draupadi while roaring loudly

 

After grabbing Draupadi by her long black curly hair, Dushasana began to forcibly drag her towards assembled kings. Draupadi was trembling with fear & in choked voice she cried out: You wretch, it is improper for you to drag me into assembly, for I’m dressed in a single piece of cloth. Dushasana said: Now that you’ve been won by us, you’re a slave & so it doesn’t matter whether you’re dressed in a single piece of cloth or even naked. From now on you’ll live without maidservants & so there is no need for you to worry about what is proper & what not

 

Her hair disheveled & her garment loosened, Draupadi was all the while dragged by Dushasana. She said: You wretch, how can I appear before my superiors in such a state? Why do I not hear anyone rebuking you for your wicked behavior? This must mean that all those present are like-minded. Obviously, all virtues have disappeared from the dynasty of Bharata. Otherwise, how could Bhisma, Drona, Dhritrāshtra & Vidura silently witness the crime?

 

Pāndavās were already burning with rage & when Draupadi glance fell upon them, their wrath became even more inflamed. Dushasana saw that Draupadi was looking at her husbands & so he dragged her more forcibly while repeatedly addressing her as “Slave” & laughing like a demon

 

When morality & Dharmic adherence takes a backseat, immorality flourishes. We all have a responsibility to first know what truth is as per scriptural injunctions & to uphold it with all our might. Even if the situation is not directly affecting us, opposing demoniac elements is a prime duty. We, the family we are part of, the society we are in & the larger group we are part of, all have equal role to play in upholding the principles

 

Our narrow disposition has wider implications

 

Reflections? #gameoflife