THE MAHABHARATA: A Modern Rendering, Vol 1 (36 page)

SIXTY-FOUR DRAUPADI’S ANGER
 

The next day, Arjuna and Subhadra rode back into the ocean-city to a warm welcome. Balarama had forgotten his anger and greeted Arjuna with a huge embrace. The Yadava bowed elaborately, crying, “Bless me, Swami! We are honored you have returned to our midst.”

The kalyana mantapa for the wedding had been erected on the outer walls of Dwaraka and the sea smashed against them a hundred hands below. With solemn ceremony, Subhadra, princess of the Yadavas, was married to Arjuna the Pandava. Krishna joked to his cousins, but out of Balarama’s hearing, that it was amazing indeed to see a couple marry twice in two days and once after they had spent a night together.

But the people of Dwaraka were overjoyed to have their princess married to the kshatriya who was such a legend among them. It was a romance unparalleled since their own Krishna carried Rukmini away on the day she was to marry Sishupala. The Yadavas were pleased at the new bond with the sons of Kunti, who was after all one of them: a Vrishni herself. This marriage would bring fortune to both kingdoms and the sons born to Arjuna and Subhadra would be magnificent kshatriyas.

Arjuna remained in Dwaraka for a year after he married Subhadra. When the year was over and only one last twelve-month remained of his exile, he felt the need to return to the wilds and live in solitude once more. Since his exile was a punishment, as well, he thought he should spend its final months away from the luxury of palace life in Dwaraka and the Yadavas’ lavish hospitality. A year in the forest would also prepare Subhadra for her new life in Indraprastha.

Subhadra and Arjuna were in love; the time they spent in a little asrama in Pushkara, which is sacred to Lord Brahma, passed like a dream. A year flew by and it was time to return to Indraprastha. Arjuna thought of Draupadi and he feared her anger when he took Subhadra home. Though Panchali had five husbands, she had never forgotten which Pandava won her at her swayamvara: the one who had shot the spinning fish. Just a shade more than the others, always, Draupadi loved Arjuna and she was possessive of him.

It was the end of spring, when Arjuna rode into Indraprastha with Subhadra. They had worn simple, rustic clothes in Pushkara, to go unnoticed and were now dressed as a gypsy cowherd and his wife. Yudhishtira, Bheema, Nakula and Sahadeva came to the palace-steps to receive them.

“Arjuna!” cried Yudhishtira and raised him up when he knelt at his feet. Tears in his eyes, the king embraced his brother. Then Subhadra knelt before him; Yudhishtira blessed her, a little awkwardly.

Meanwhile, Bheema enfolded Arjuna in a hug and would not release his brother. “How we have missed you!” cried the titan. “And here you are at last and come home with such a lovely wife.”

Bheema whispered to Arjuna, “You had better be warned, Panchali is beside herself with jealousy.”

Then the twins were hugging their brother. Sahadeva cried, “But don’t wait here any longer. Mother is impatient to see you and Draupadi, too; though she has been in a black mood since she heard you married Subhadra.”

Nakula said, “We have word from Dwaraka. Krishna and Balarama are coming here soon.”

Arjuna took Subhadra in to Kunti’s apartment. His mother had been waiting. She rose with a cry and he fell at her feet. She raised him up and clasped him to her. Then she asked, “Where is she? Where is my little niece?”

Subhadra had never seen her aunt and now she had become her daughter-in-law. Shyly, she entered the room, still wearing her gopika’s clothes. Kunti hugged her as if she was her own daughter. She made her sit beside her and gave her the silks and jewels and all the special things she had kept for her since she heard the news.

Kunti kissed Subhadra again and again, crying, “How lovely she is, a jewel from the sea!”

Then, she was grave and called Arjuna to sit near her. Kunti said softly, as if she was afraid she might be overheard, “Panchali has been angry since she heard. She hardly eats, or speaks to anyone. You must be tactful with her; she imagines the worst, especially since Subhadra is your cousin.”

Arjuna blanched. Kunti went on, “It is fortunate you are fair, my child, or she would have compared herself to you. But Panchali is noble; she is only angry because she has never seen this girl like a bit of the moon. Draupadi grew in a house where she was constantly told she was the most beautiful woman in the world; and now she has five husbands, who tell her the same thing.

Perhaps it is time she met an equal. But go humbly to her, Subhadra, everything depends on your first meeting. Go dressed as you are, as a gypsy rather than a princess. She will find it easier to accept you.” Kunti frowned, “Everything depends on her liking you at first sight. Everything.”

“I think I should go alone to her first,” said Arjuna.

“Yes, but don’t expect any welcome. That will not come until she has seen Subhadra. But, as you say, you had better see her first.”

His heart in his mouth, Arjuna came to Draupadi’s apartment. The door was ajar and he walked in. She sat near a window, drying her long hair in the sun that fell in on her. She sat with her back to him, unraveling the knots in her tresses with fine dark fingers and she was more bewitching than ever. He felt the familiar tautness in his stomach.

He stood gazing at her. For a long moment, Arjuna let a swirl of feelings overwhelm him, as he stood silently, staring. She was not aware of him yet; then, he coughed softly. Draupadi spun around and the smile froze on Arjuna’s face. Her eyes were red with crying, her face puffy without sleep. She rose slowly, very regally and she was breathing hard. He took a step toward her, “Panchali…”

Her eyes flashed at him. He saw she was trembling and she said in a terrible voice, “Why have you left her for even a moment? I don’t need your pity, go where your heart is. When you tie a second knot, the first one is loosened.”

She stood there, her face pale, her lips twitching. Arjuna said, “I am where my heart is.”

But she cried, “Leave me alone!”, ran into the next room and slammed the door.

Tears in his eyes, Arjuna went back to his mother’s apartment. Kunti said, “She is angry, isn’t she? It will pass. If she likes Subhadra, everything will be all right. You must go humbly to her, little one. When she sees how lovely you are, she will forgive Arjuna.”

Arjuna’s hands were clammy. He was far from sure that it would be as easy as his mother thought. Yet, they must try and Subhadra, who was no less noble than Draupadi, was not reluctant to placate her, as any other princess would have been. At least, Panchali would know the younger woman did not want to threaten her position as queen of Indraprastha.

Arjuna sighed, “The only way is for you to go to her.”

Subhadra rose and went bravely with the maid Kunti called to show her the way. The sakhi took her to Draupadi’s door and then waited nervously for the princess to enter by herself. With a smile, Subhadra walked in; this was her life now and she knew she had to win Draupadi over.

Draupadi was not in the room where Arjuna had seen her and the inner door still stood shut. With a silent prayer, thinking of Krishna, Subhadra knocked on it. There was silence from within. She waited a moment, then knocked again. A voice in which there were tears, demanded, “Who is it?”

“Krishna’s sister. May I come in?”

Another silence, then, Draupadi asked, “Are you alone?”

“Yes.”

Subhadra knew the other woman must have been frantically setting her appearance right. Another long moment passed and then Draupadi opened the door and stood, dark and awesomely beautiful, before Subhadra. Subhadra gasped when she saw Panchali and her eyes clearly showed what she felt. She smiled sweetly and said, “I am Subhadra and I want to be your sakhi.” Then, she added quite spontaneously, “You are even more beautiful than I had heard!”

Draupadi stared at Subhadra for a probing moment. At last, the ghost of a smile dawned on her lips. She said, “And so are you.”

Then, Draupadi held her arms open; Subhadra came to her and, next moment, Panchali was kissing her and crying, “You are so exquisite I can’t resist you myself! Then how could poor Arjuna?”

She took the younger woman’s hand and led her into her bedroom.

An hour later, Arjuna came anxiously to Draupadi’s apartment, worried that she may have been as savage with Subhadra as she had with him. He found Subhadra wearing a priceless sari in crimson silk and Draupadi’s most treasured jewelry. The two women sat chatting and laughing together like sisters!

Arjuna stood astonished at the door. Draupadi saw him and fell silent, casting her eyes down. Subhadra turned and saw him. She whispered to Draupadi and, brushing past Arjuna, went out, shutting the door behind her.

The blood pounded in Arjuna’s body to be alone with dark Panchali after so long. She, too, had waited impatiently for him, determined to fight for her place as his first wife and, equally, resolved to give in if she saw no other way. Now, she had no battle with Subhadra.

After a moment’s silence, she rose. With a soft cry, she was in his arms. Her hands were on him in a familiar frenzy, that they had both lived without for twelve long years.

SIXTY-FIVE
 

THE YADAVAS COME TO INDRAPRASTHA
 

A few days later, Balarma, Krishna, their wives and a company of Yadavas arrived in Indraprastha. Nakula and Sahadeva came to the gates to receive them.

The people of Indraprastha flocked into the streets to welcome the one who had raised their city in the wilderness. Of course, now that city was many times as populous as it had been when Krishna was last here, twelve years ago. Many of the Kurus had never seen the Dark One about whom they had heard so much, who lived in legendary Dwaraka on the sea and whom the world called the Avatara. The women of Indraprastha were excited. They crowded the balconies and rooftops and showered wildrose petals on him as he rode by in his chariot, waving to them.

The women saw he was handsomer than they had dreamt and even more mysterious. They favored him with sultry glances and inviting smiles; even shy housewives were strangely overcome. He smiled at them and the men of Indraprastha never noticed the intimate exchange.

At the palace, Yudhishtira, Bheema and Arjuna waited on the shining steps. Yudhishtira ran to Krishna like a child and embraced him; and then Bheema did and Arjuna. Balarama was warmly welcomed. Bheema, especially, was pleased his master had come. Ceremoniously, Balarama gave the gold and the ornaments seldom seen in the world, the thousand chariots, the thousand horses and the thousand virgins, all of which they had brought as Subhadra’s dowry, to Yudhishtira.

Inside the palace, Kunti was waiting for them with Draupadi and Subhadra herself, looking radiantly happy. When they all sat together, Yudhishtira said, “I hope you have come to stay with us for some time.”

Balarama replied, “Ten days we shall spend together, Yudhishtira and may they be joyful. But after that I must return home and the others with me.”

There were protests from the Pandavas. “Why only ten days, after coming all the way from Dwaraka?”

Balarama held up his hand. “Let me finish, cousins. We Yadavas also have enemies we must fear and our women and children are at home. It would be dangerous to leave Dwaraka unprotected for more than ten days. If word goes abroad that Krishna and I are away, there are those that will seize their chance to attack our city.” He paused, “But Krishna can remain here with you as long as he likes.”

The Pandavas’ faces lit up. A delighted Yudhishtira said, “You can’t imagine how pleased I am.”

Merry as always, Krishna replied, “I am happy to stay, Yudhishtira.” He glanced at Arjuna and added cryptically, “These are momentous times and your city is the eye of the coming storm.”

When they pressed him to explain, he would only say, “Everything will be made plain in good time; for time reveals all things to all men. Now we are hungry after our journey. We hear the cooks of Indraprastha are the finest in the world and wonder if they deserve their reputation.”

Bheema sniffed the air and cried, “Food is served!”

Arm in arm and all of them except Krishna quite innocent of what the future held, they went in to the banquet prepared by the gifted cooks of Indraprastha’s palace. Bheema had lured these men away from Hastinapura and almost every other kingdom. He wanted the cuisine to be exceptional and eclectic: and to please any guest that came to their city, even from the remotest corner of Bharatavarsha.

Krishna and Balarama were seated at the head of the king’s table; and served in golden and silver dishes, the fare was every bit as delectable as reputed. Bheema glowed when he saw how his guests enjoyed the meal and he made a point of asking each Yadava if he liked the food. Bheema’s appetite for compliments was as insatiable as it was for the food itself.

Ten days of swimming in the sparkling pools of Indraprastha, hunting in the forests around the city, feasts every evening supervised by the son of the wind, marvelous entertainment every night in the halls of the palace and in the open, music and dancing in courtyards where fountains plashed under the moon and the stars: ten perfect days and nights flashed by and too quickly it was time for Balarama to return to Dwaraka.

Yudhishtira and Bheema came to the older Yadava and pleaded with him to stay. And they were so keen and Balarama was having such an excellent time, that, when Krishna added his voice to theirs, his brother was persuaded to remain for another fortnight. But at the end of those fourteen days, it was time to go back. Balarama set out for Dwaraka, leaving Krishna behind with Yudhishtira and his brothers.

Colorful flags waving and a thousand conches booming under the sky, the force from Dwaraka set out for home, flowing over the land like another great river: with Balarama at its head and the legion of Yadava heroes behind him.