July 12, 2013: Draupadi, the wife of five Pandavas, had an eventful life. She was born when Draupad performed yagya to take revenge from Drona. She was born along with Dhrishtdyumna, who fought the war of Mahabharat with Pandavas.

She became the wife of all Pandavas not by an accident, but by design. Lord Krishna explained to her that she prayed to Lord Shiva to grant her a husband with 14 desired qualities. Shiva, pleased with her devotion, told her that it would be very difficult to get a husband with 14 qualities that she desired. But she insisted. Lord Shiva finally accepted her wish and granted her 14 husbands in her next birth. Draupadi asked for these qualities in her previous birth. In her previous birth she was Nalayani – daughter of Nala and Dmayanti.

She queried Lord Shiva was this a boon or curse? Shiva promised that she would regain her virginity each morning when she took bath as a boon to her.

The 14 qualities that Draupadi wanted were available in 5 Pandavas. The just Yudhisthar for his wisdom of Dharma; the powerful Bheem for his strength that exceeded that of a thousand elephants combined; the valiant Arjun for his courage and knowledge of the battlefield; the exceedingly handsome Nakul and Sahdeva for their love. 

Draupadi had a wooden bowl, which would always be filled with food. This bowl was presented to her, while the Pandavas were on an exile. The bowl helped the Pandavas to survive in forest. 

Draupadi refused participation of Karna in swayamvar. She refused to be the wife of Suta-Putra (son of a charioteer). Karna too could have won the competition.

The seeds of Mahabharat war were sown by Draupadi. It is said that Draupadi once said about Duryodhan that blind’s sons are also blind.

According to Narad Purana and Vayu Purana, Draupadi is the composite avatar of Goddess Shyamala (wife of Dharma), Bharati (wife of Vayu), Shachi (wife of Indra), Usha (wife of Ashwins) and Parvati (wife of Shiva).

In earlier avatars, she did assume important avatars. The first time was as Vedavati who cursed Raavan. She then came in place of Sita’s avatar, to be the cause of Raavan’s death, while agni hid the real Sita. Her third incarnation was partial either Damayanti or her daughter Nalayani. She married sage mudgala. The fifth avatar was Draupadi herself. 

Source: Daily Bhaskar, DT. July 12, 2013.