[ The following are highly biased and blasphemous views of the author. However, most comments are welcome, esp those that throw some light on the question. ]
PART 2 - Draupadi
While there is Sita in the Ramayana, there is Draupadi in the Mahabharata. A woman every bit as remarkable as Sita, but who somehow doesn't evoke the sense of respect that one has for Sita.
Draupadi or Panchali [See footnote 1] was daughter to King Drupada. She was married to the five Pandavas, and this, sadly has become her identity. Her polyandry has been a target of a lot of jokes (none worth mentioning here). Wife-of-five-husbands is as far as I have seen, the first thought that comes into people's minds on hearing her name.
Though there cannot be any valid comparisons, I always thought Draupadi to be a notch above Sita. While criticizing Sita is somewhat out-of-bounds because she was the wife of Lord Rama, there is nothing like that in case of Draupadi. True, she had five husbands, but it is difficult enough to be wife of one, let alone five. It is remarkable, almost superhuman.
Sita was kidnapped by Ravana. She had faith in her husband, that he would come to rescue her. And he did. Spare a thought for Draupadi. She was lost in a gamble, as a bet, by her own husband. Whom she should turn to now? In front of a whole courthouse, she was abused, humiliated and even stripped. No one said a word. Draupadi faced all this, yet it did not undermine her. She came out of there as chaste as she had gone in.
While Sita took her punishment silently, Draupadi questioned Yudhistira. What right did he had to bet her as a prize? Wasn't she already considered lost, when he lost himself? If yes, then why did he bet her again? If no, what right did he command over her after that?
She was his wife, not a property. She made a terrible vow, not to tie her hair until they have been washed by Dusshasana's blood. It was fulfilled at last, though for a great price.
This brings me to another point. I have heard a lot of Babas (spiritual leaders or gurus you might call them)[see footnote 2], accusing Draupadi to be the reason of Mahabharata's great war. After all, she made fun of Duryodhana, calling him blind, as his father was. The Babas, tell this as the primary reason for the war, thereby underlining how women always bring upon destruction (Sita bought it on Ravana, blah blah). Really?? Was Dhritrashtra's ambition nothing? Or Duryodhana's hatred for his brothers? The most interesting thing I find is, that they say this in front of a crowd full of women, and even get approval! Well, most of those women have nothing to do at home (or dont want to), and they gather there to play my-bahu-is-worst contest. So, they really see their daughters-in-law ruining their life.
Draupadi never gave in. She always took the challenge. Even when she had no one to support her. But somehow, people do not look upto her. They do not want women to be like her. Women who can stand up for themselves. Women who do not let injustice go unpunished. No they do not want that.
Just as a closing comment, Draupadi was also known as Krishnã, because of her dark complexion. For a nation obsessed with white and fairness, it is not surprising that they do not see her as an ideal woman.
Epilogue :
After the war was over, the Pandavas along with Draupadi went to see Bhishma, who was lying on his bed of arrows. krishna said to Yudhistira, "This is the time. Quick. Ask him the path of Dharma." Draupadi laughed. Everyone looked bewildered. She said," You are asking Dharma from him? Where was his Dharma, when I was being abused in the courthouse?" No one had any answer.
[1] : She was called Panchali because she was the princess of the Kingdom of Panchal, not because she had five husbands.
[2] : I have been born and raised in Mathura, beside Krishna Janm Sthan, so I have seen and heard a lot of Babas :P
PS : The title is taken from a film of same name by master director Vittorio De Sica, starring Sophie Loren. Nothing to do with the post, but a really good film. Do watch it.
