A gift for Draupadi

There was a temporary pause after Dussasana gave up his heinous crime of disrobing Draupadi. Bhima, forgetting his temporary bondage, thundered his terrible oath of revenge for all to hear.
Draupadi continued wailing about her misfortune. She shouted at Dussasana. “You are an insult to humanity for treating me the way you did. I have never been in public view after the day of my wedding. Making a chaste lady like me to appear in the noble hall of Kaurava assembly has never happened elsewhere before”. She, then, turned to the elder Kurus and repeated her question. “Am I a slave to the Kauravas? I deserve an answer to this question. Have I been won over by Duryodhana or not?”

Bhishma replied, avoiding a direct answer. “It is often difficult to say categorically what is right and what is wrong. Powerful men get verdicts in their favour. These Kaurava princes have become blind with greed. That is why they forget the path of righteousness. You have not erred in any way in what you said or acted. The elder statesmen like Drona and me are as good as living bodies with no will to act”.

Duryodhana’s offer

Duryodhana came up with a conceited offer to the Pandavas. He said, addressing Draupadi. “Leave that question of yours alone. Let Bhima and his younger brothers proclaim that they no longer consider Yudhishthira their leader. Let Yudhishthira also confess in public that he is no longer your lord. The very next moment you will be set free from bondage”.

All the princes on the Kaurava side welcomed that gesture of Duryodhana. All turned to Bhima and Arjuna to hear what they had to say.

But, Bhima announced in no uncertain terms. “We have tolerated all that took place today only out of respect for our elder brother. Let him say one word and I shall crush the entire Kaurava clan between my arms which are as strong as pillars of iron.”

Bhishma, Drona and Vidura passified Bhima with the words. “Be patient. You will accomplish all that in due course.”

Karna’s tirade

Karna continued harassing Draupadi saying, “these Pandavas are now pauper and bonded. You better chose someone else who is a proper king as husband.”

Duryodhana pressed on to Yudhishthira, “you must say if Draupadi has been won over or not”.
He was enjoying the predicament of the Pandavas and his own successes. Power made him make a vulgar movement by baring his thighs turning to Draupadi. Bhima could not stand that insult to his dear wife. He announced to the assembly, “I shall break this thigh of Duryodhana in fight with my club”. At that time all heard wolves howl and donkeys bray. The senior Kauravas realized that the evil omen foretold a horrible disaster to befall on the Kauravas.

Dhritarashtra’s change of heart

Dhritarashtra realized that his son went too far. The Kaurava king turned to Duryodhana and rebuked him for his demeaning behaviour, especially towards Draupadi. He then called the Pandava queen to his side and tried to pacify her. He made a conciliatory offer to her by way of a boon of her choice. Draupadi said. “Please set Yudhishthira free”. Dhritarashtra was pleased with her reply and made a second offer to her. This time she asked for setting her other husbands free. When asked for a third time she refused the offer. She said that it was improper for kings and queens to accept more than two boons.

Dhritarashtra, then, called Yudhishthira to his side and apologized on behalf of his son. He said, “I permitted the game of dice simply to please my sons who are the only props I have because of my blindness. Do not keep any enmity towards them. That does more harm than good. Take all the land and wealth that you lost through dice. Return to Indraprastha and live on happily as before.”

With these words Dhritarashtra sent the Pandavas back to their half of kingdom in beautifully decorated chariots.

Vedavyasa ends the chapter on “the game of dice (Dyoota Parvam)” here.