Draupadi’s birth
Draupadi was the daughter of King Drupada of Panchala. Draupadi was an unwanted child born to him. She was not born from her mother’s womb. Instead, it is said that Draupadi was born out of revenge as an adult. King Drupada was defeated by the Pandava prince Arjuna on behalf of Drona, who then took half of his kingdom. By burning the fire of revenge, king Draupada performed tapas followed by a Yajna to obtain a boy child as a means of blessing who can take revenge from Guru Drona. Draupadi appeared as a beautiful dark-skinned young woman from the sacrificial fire after her sibling Dhrishtadyumna.
Various names of Draupadi
Draupadi is one of the leading characters of Mahabharata. Draupadi is known by several names and each name defines her different qualities.
- Drupadi – daughter of king Drupad
- Panchali – Princess of the kingdom of Panchala
- Parshati – Granddaughter of Prishata
- Yagnaseni – Born from the sacrificial fire
- Sairandhri – An expert maid
- Nityayuvani – One who remains young forever and never becomes old.
- Malini – One who makes garlands.
- Krishnaa – Represent for her dark complexion and pure skin, radiating purity, honor, and principality.
Draupadi condition for Pandavas
Draupadi agreed to become the wife of five Pandavas on one condition, i.e., she would never share her household with any other women, which means the Pandavas had no right to bring their other wives to Indraprastha.
Draupadi cursed the Dogs
Draupadi mentioned a condition in front of Pandavas that only one brother was allowed to enter her chamber at a time. The Pandava who will enter her chamber will keep his shoes outside the chamber. The one who will violate this condition will be sent to long-term exile.
But one day, when Yudhisthar was in her chamber, the dog stole his shoes. Unaware of the fact Arjun entered the chamber of Draupadi seeing no shoes outside and saw his brother Yudhisthir with Draupadi copulating. Arjun was sent to exile as per the condition of Draupadi. Embarrassed Draupadi cursed dogs by saying: “All the world will see you copulate in public, stripped of all shame.”
Incarnation of Kali
There is a common belief in South India that Draupadi was also an incarnation of Maha Kali. She was born to assist Lord Krishna to destroy all the arrogant Kings. That is why they are considered brothers and sisters although Draupadi was born from fire.
Avatars of Draupadi
As per Narada Purana and Vayu Purana, she is the combined avatar of;
Goddess Shyamala (wife of Dharma)
Bharati (wife of Vayu)
Shachi (wife of Indra)
Usha (wife of Ashwin)
Parvati (wife of Shiva)
Draupadi blessed to be a virgin
Draupadi is one of Panchakanyas including- Sita( Kunti), Ahalya, Draupadi, Tara, and Mandodari , known as five virgins. She used to walk through fire to regain her virginity and purity before she moved to the next Husband. Such rules were never perceived before this. Pandavas have other wives, but these wives used to stay with their parents and they used to travel to them to visit their wives in four years.
