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Draupadi: The Fierce Fire-Born Woman

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Feminine Journeys of the Mahabharata

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Abstract

Draupadi is the central female protagonist of the Mahabharata. She is the representation of the energies of Gods, similar to Durga Mahishamardini to whom she is compared frequently in the Mahabharata and other classical tales; she is a fiery woman. Like Satyavati she also inherits her aspirations and perils from belonging to the Kuru lineage. It is through Draupadi’s veracity and courage that the lineage of Pandu survives the battle and is blessed with progeny to continue into the future generations. Draupadi’s deviance is noticed in every major event of her life including her marriage. Draupadi remains an inspiration to modern women, her story endures in a variety of recollections, and her worship is carried on through dedicated festivals. Examining her story afresh and in comparison with other narratives of women provides a clearer understanding of gender norms and social roles of women in India.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The following translations of the Mahabharata are cited in this chapter. Translation of the Vulgate text of the Mahabharata refers to Ganguli Kisari Mohan/P.C. Roy. 2004 [1883–1896]. Mahabharata. Vol. 1–4. New Delhi: Munshiram Manoharlal. References to this text of the Mahabharata are cited as Mahabharata. Translation of the Critical Edition of the Mahabharata refers to the Van Buitenen. J. A. B. 1973–1978. Mahabharata (Mbh). Vol. 1–3. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. References to this text of the Mahabharata are abbreviated as Mbh.

  2. 2.

    Draupadi Vastrapaharanam is also one of the earliest stories adapted for a Telugu film of the same name released in 1936.

  3. 3.

    A recent example is the popular novel based on this event Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni-Banerjee.

  4. 4.

    The Telugu Mahabharatamu is recently reissued in print by the Sri Potti Sriramulu Telugu Vishvavidyalayamu (Andhra Mahabharatamu, Kavitraya Praneethamu. 2000) from the original text published by the Anandasrama Press a century ago in 1910. The contents of the recent reprint of Telugu Mahabharatamu do not list the Sabhaparavamu, even though the book contains all the chapters of the original Sabhaparvamu, which is included in the book, in two chapters (asvasamulu). Andhra Mahabharatamu, Page 245–311.

  5. 5.

    This very popular folk tale is part of Telugu theatrical performances and films.

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  1. Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH, USA

    Lavanya Vemsani

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  1. Lavanya Vemsani
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Correspondence to Lavanya Vemsani .

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Vemsani, L. (2021). Draupadi: The Fierce Fire-Born Woman. In: Feminine Journeys of the Mahabharata. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73165-6_4

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