Week 5 Storytelling: Draupadi's Choice

Draupadi's Choice

Author's Note. This week, we began reading the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. I am already quite familiar with this epic so it was nice to refresh my mind on some of the smaller details. Since I was younger, I was always intrigued by how Draupadi was married to five guys. As a kid, you see your mom and dad married to each other and that's it, no other wives/husbands in the mix. So to hear about this story where a woman has five husbands is always interesting. This week I decided to write my story based on Draupadi's Swayamwara. I decided to make my story into a Screenplay because I felt that this scene would be perfect to act out. To change it up, I decided to let Draupadi make a decision about who she gets to marry, rather than her having five husbands. 

KUNTI, wife of King Pandu, mother of Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, and Arjuna

YUDHISHTHIRA, eldest Pandava brother, name means one who is steadfast even during war, son of      Kunti and Dharma

BHIMASENA, second Pandava brother, name means "of terrible might", son of Kunti and Vayu

ARJUNA, third Pandava brother, name means "of stainless deeds", son of Kunti and Indra

NAKULA, fourth Pandava brother, name means "the charming one", son of Madri and Nasatya

SAHADEVA, youngest Pandava brother, name means "equal to a thousand gods", son of Madri and        Nasatya

KING DRUPADA, king of Panchala

DRAUPADI, "fire born" daughter of Drupada, wife of the Pandava brothers

FADE IN

In the kingdom of Panchala, a swayamwara for King Drupada's beloved daughter is to be held. The regents and princes from all over were invited to take part in this challenge to win Draupadi's hand in marriage. 

KING DRUPADA [to himself]: I need to set up the perfect challenge so that only the greatest of men can marry my beautiful Draupadi. I must make a bow and arrow shooting challenge. But this won't be any ordinary bow, it will be such a powerful bow that only a very strong gentleman could bend and string it. But that will not cut it. Let me make this even more difficult. After all, whoever wins this challenge gets my lovely daughter in return. Here, let's add a spinning wheel that the arrow must go through. Oh, but not only that, the man who wins my daughter must have terrific aim. He will have to get the arrow through the wheel and also shoot this here golden fish. Whoever can do all of this will marry Draupadi. Ah, yes! This is the perfect swayamwara. Ha ha! Now my daughter will have the best husband. 

DRAUPADI: Oh father, what a challenge you have made! I am doubtful that any man can stand up to this mighty swayamwara. 

KING DRUPADA: Draupadi, the perfect man will come and win you. I am sure of it. 

[to himself]: Oh how I hope the mighty Arjuna will attend and complete my challenge. In my           eyes, he is the best man for Draupadi. 

The swayamwara begins 

KING DRUPADA: Come all might men who desire to marry my Draupadi! We shall see who is strong enough to bend and string this here bow. 

NARRATOR: Many men stepped up to the bow and attempted to lift it. One by one, they failed. Some were able to lift the powerful bow, but none were able to string it. Suddenly, Arjuna comes up to the bow. 

ARJUNA [dressed as a brahmin]: Here, let me attempt this. 

NARRATOR: Arjuna is able to lift and string the bow with ease. In one swift movement, he shoots the arrow, it goes through the wheel, and hits the golden fish. 

CROWD: Oh my! Who is this brahmin who was able to string the bow? 

DRAUPADI [running up to Arjuna]: You have done it! Finally, a man strong enough to complete my father's challenge. I am so excited! 

[pauses] Wait! I know you, you are that Pandava, Arjuna. My father is always talking about you. I'm sure he is very happy that you have succeeded in completing his challenge. 

(Draupadi's Swayamwara. Source: Wikimedia Commons)

The Pandavas and Draupadi go back home

KUNTI: I have heard of the wonderful feat you have accomplished, Arjuna! You have brought great honor to the Pandava name, but also, you have gifted yourself and each of your brothers a beautiful wife. 

ARJUNA: What? What do you mean I have gifted my brothers with a wife? I have won Draupadi fair and square. None of the others stepped up and tried to string the bow. I am the rightful winnter. 

KUNTI: But it is written that she will marry you all. It must be done this way, son. 

ARJUNA: No, mother, I do not like this.

YUDHISHTHIRA: Mother, how is this fair to anyone? Arjuna has won Draupadi fair and square. 

BHIMASENA: Well, shoot! I don't mind sharing Draupadi. I mean, look how beautiful she is. Brothers, let's marry her. 

NAKULA: Bhima, what the heck? Are you crazy? Draupadi is a person just like us. She should have a say in her future. Let her pick who she wants to marry. 

ARJUNA: What do you mean, "let her pick?" Nakula, I was the one who completed the challenge. I get to marry her. 

DRAUPADI: Arjuna, as happy as I am that you won, I agree with Bhimasena. I feel like I should have a say in who I marry. I do not want to be married to five men, especially five brothers. That does not seem like a good future to me. Please allow me to choose. 

ARJUNA: I guess you are right. Please, tell us Pandavas who you have in mind to be your husband. 

DRAUPADI: Thank you, Arjuna, for understanding. I would like to marry your younger brother, Nakula. He is the only one who acknowledged my choice in this matter. He seems to be the most genuine of the Pandava men. I will be happy to marry Nakula. 

NAKULA: Oh dear Draupadi, I am humbled by your decision. Let us get married at once.

NARRATOR: Looks like Draupadi made a surprising decision in the end. I guess Nakula was able to live up to his name, "the charming one." 

FADE OUT

Bibliography. PDE Mahabharata. Part B. Section 26-27. Various authors.