AJAYA I -- Roll of the Dice

by Unknown

  "My brothers and sisters, dharma is withering under the onslaught of such evil men. Duryodhana has made a Suta the King of Anga. We have to nip such actions in the bud, for such naked transgression of our traditions will only lead to the destruction of our great civilization. That son of the charioteer got lucky with his shot and hit the target. I was tense for a moment but am happy that better sense prevailed and Draupadi put him in his place. I applaud the courage she has shown in not letting her heart win over her head. It is easy to be impressed by Karna. He is handsome and arguably has some skill with the bow. Know that the little knowledge he has, was gained by cheating the great Guru Parashurama. Know that the person who looks so heroic is nothing but a low class imposter, who lied to a great man. The Guru loved this pretender like his own son, thinking him to be a Brahmin. When he learned the truth, he lost consciousness and is even now struggling for life. The powerful Kings of the Southern Confederate are on the lookout for this charlatan."

  Krishna paused, happy to have destroyed any lingering sympathy towards the Suta. Before Jarasandha or Balarama could say anything to the contrary, he moved to where the Panchala Princess sat with her eyes cast down, all youthful gaiety erased from her face. "Princess Draupadi, we are proud of you. A better man could not have gained your hand. May you always be happy and have a hundred sons."

  Jarasandha looked at the smiling Krishna and chuckled. He said to Balarama in a low voice, "I cannot stand this farce any longer and am now leaving." He clasped his friend's hands and held them close to his heart. Then he walked out of the assembly with his faithful General in tow. Balarama stood up and followed him out. As the venerable King of Magadha was mounting his elephant, Balarama caught up with him. The elderly King said, "This country is going to the dogs Balarama, and I truly pity your clever brother."

  They could hear the chanting of the Priests from the sabha as Draupadi was duly married to Arjuna, according to traditional rites and rituals.

  "His views are conservative and he thinks people have deviated from the path of dharma. He has taken upon himself the task of saving the world from people who think differently. That is all. He says he has come to earth to restore dharma," Balarama said to the older man, unwilling to let him leave with a poor opinion of his brother.

  "I hope he will not become dangerous and is just a closet fanatic, as you want me to believe. But I fear his passion will divide people into two opposing groups. If he does not acquire the wisdom that there is nothing like absolute dharma, be assured there will be a terrible war and the whole of India will be sucked into the vortex. In such a conflict, there will be no winners except a handful of Priests, who will survive and flourish," Jarasandha said sadly, suppressing the urge to be more harsh on Krishna, in the face of Balarama's obvious love for his charming brother.

  "I will try to make Krishna understand. But as you say, times are unsettled and there are many people willing to believe that you are in fact one of the evil Kings of India. Be careful of misguided young men like the Nagas, who would be happy to endanger you," Balarama told his friend, eyeing the haughty Nishada General.

  "Balarama, I have not lived my seventy years as a coward and I am sure it is not Takshaka who wants to finish me. Do not worry. As long as I have faithful men like General Hiranyadhanus here, I fear neither the Nagas nor the netherworld, or avatars who walk this poor earth for our salvation. Farewell Balarama, do come to visit us sometime soon." With these words, the King of Magadha gave the order to his mahout and the elephant lumbered forward. General Hiranyadhanus bowed to Balarama. The Yadava leader bowed back with equal deference.

  With a man like the Nishada General as his aide, Jarasandha had nothing to fear, thought Balarama, as he watched the entourage leaving Panchala. There was a time when Jarasandha had been Balarama's greatest enemy.

  Soon after Krishna and Balarama had assassinated their uncle Kamsa, then King of Mathura, Jarasandha, his brother-in-law, had laid siege to the city, bent on revenge. Those had been difficult days. Balarama had been young and impulsive. Jarasandha and his Nishada General had attacked Mathura and ransacked the capital seventeen times. Krishna wished to finish off Jarasandha somehow, and the chance came as an invitation to peace talks at Pataliputra, the capital of Magadha. Krishna planned to assassinate the usurper during their visit, and included Balarama in the conspiracy. However, what he saw at Magadha changed Balarama's perspective and his life. He arrived in Pataliputra with his mind filled with hatred, and came away with immense respect for Jarasandha. He vetoed Krishna's plan, leaving his brother furious, and decided to move the Yadava people to the West coast of India, to build a dream city - Dwaraka. Jarasandha became a dear friend.

  ***

  Soon, a delirious crowd carried the newlyweds seated in a palanquin, to the home of the Pandavas. They swarmed round the couple with loud celebrations and wild dancing. Balarama saw the sadness in Draupadi's eyes. 'Daughter, you do not know what you have missed by rejecting Karna because of his caste. May Arjuna keep you happy,' he prayed as he watched the palanquin moving away quickly. He did not know then that Kunti would take a momentous decision when the bridal procession reached her door. It would alter the course of history forever.

  *

  *

  *

  22 MARRIAGE

  KUNTI STOOD SHOCKED INTO IMMOBILITY as the bridal procession reached the Pandavas' humble hut. The dwelling was small and neat, set in a sylvan hermitage where similar huts were inhabited by Brahmins and holy men. The Pandava brothers patiently waited for their mother to open the door and welcome them in. A woman's instinct made Draupadi uneasy as she stood, shaking a little with nervousness. Arjuna's four brothers stood behind her. She could feel the heat from their eyes on her back as well as their jealousy towards their successful brother.

  "Mother, Arjuna has brought you a present," Yudhishtra called out.

  Draupadi could see two eyes boring into her through the crack in the door. Finally, Kunti spoke from the darkness within. "Whatever you have brought, Arjuna, share it with your brothers."

  Had she heard correctly? 'Share it with your brothers! It?' Draupadi's quick temper flared at her mother-in-law's instruction to her son. Each of Kunti's words was like a needle piercing her soul. In the years to follow, she would often remember the chill of those words and recall the lust in the eyes of the Pandavas as she stood trembling; and her warrior-husband's helplessness - that supreme archer who had won her.

  "Is that the right thing to do, mother?" asked Arjuna, sounding like a peeved child who had lost his favourite toy to his siblings.

  Draupadi burned with indignation. They were discussing her yet she had no voice in deciding her own future. She was just 'it', a thing without heart and feelings; to be bartered, shared, fought over, and pawned when its use was over. But she held back her tears, remembering she was first of all a Princess of Panchala and the daughter of a King.

  "Krishna," Kunti opened the door and addressed their guest. "Explain to Arjuna what karma and dharma are. Why is he angry? Does he not know they must all stand together to defeat Duryodhana? I do not wish them to fight over this girl. She should be proud that each of my five incomparable sons will share her. I too, have done that in my time, as did my husband's second wife, Madri. That is how all five of them were born."

  "Am I a prostitute to share the bed of all your sons?" Draupadi exploded in rage, no longer able to remain silent in the face of such humiliation. "Why are you silent, Arjuna? You won me and I am your wife. Do you want me to share a bed with your brothers? Why do you remain silent? Are you not a Kshatriya?"

  Krishna came forward. "Aunt, allow me to mediate." He took Draupadi's hand and led her apart. Arjuna followed them.

  Yudhishtra placed a mat on the floor, sat down, and closed his eyes, at peace with himself. Bhima vanished into the kitchen to forage for food, and the twins stood gaping at Draupadi. Kunti looked at the serene face of her eldest son. She had taken a gamble and hoped Krishna would be able to convince this spir
ited girl. Gandhari's sons were strong because of their unity. This girl was so beautiful she could create trouble and frustration if she lived in this house with five young men, all of whom secretly coveted her.

  When Krishna came back, it looked like he had managed to sort things out. Draupadi kept her eyes lowered and Kunti could not decide whether she was petulant or merely shy. Anyhow, she looked resigned to her future, in the best tradition of Indian wives. Arjuna looked away, not prepared to face his mother, brothers, or wife. Yudhishtra came out of his meditation when Krishna patted his shoulder. Addressing Kunti, Krishna said in the voice of reason, "She understands. I have explained everything, including the scriptural authority for this. She asked Arjuna whether he agreed, and Arjuna replied that he would follow whatever I decide. So I have told him what is right. Everything is settled. Yudhishtra will have her for one year, then Bhima for the next year. Arjuna, being third, will have her for the third year, and the fourth and fifth are for the twins. The cycle will continue in the same way, with a month between each new cycle, and Draupadi will be the wife of all five brothers."

  Yudhishtra quickly cast down his eyes to hide his elation. As the eldest, he would be first. He then looked at his mother. "The power of meditation and prayer is more powerful than skill with arms, mother. Arjuna won her, but he knows his duty - that whatever we win has to be shared." He walked over to Draupadi. "Do not worry anymore. The wedding rites will be performed immediately to marry you to each of us. You are ours now and we will protect you until death claims us all."

  "But my husband is Arjuna, your own brother..." Draupadi turned imploringly towards Arjuna, willing him to speak. But Arjuna, the mighty warrior, would not meet her eyes and turned away, his heart unaccountably filled with shame. But was he not following dharma?

  Draupadi looked at her mother-in-law. "Mother, I hope these are all the sons you have."

  "Why... why do you ask, daughter?" Kunti's voice had lost all its usual authority. She averted her gaze from the young Princess standing so proudly before her.

  "So I do not wake one day to find myself wife to half a dozen men. I am sure there are enough scriptural authorities to prove that too, would be my dharma."

  Yudhishtra did not wait for his mother's answer. Sahadeva ran to fetch the Priests who would conduct the marriages as per Vedic rituals. The others followed Yudhishtra into the house. Only Arjuna remained standing outside. The closing door sounded as final as death.

  ***

  Later, as Draupadi lay on her bed like deadwood, she did not think about Arjuna, the great archer who had won her, or Yudhishtra, lying asleep beside her. Her eyes were filled with the image of a man slipping away like a chastised dog from her father's splendid Court. Her mind and body felt violated, defeated and numb. Her own words, 'I will not marry a Suta,' screamed back at her endlessly in the deafening silence.

  ***

  Arjuna sat grim and silent, looking at the fireflies dancing around. The hermitage was abuzz with activity as preparations were being made to feed a hundred Brahmins to celebrate the Pandavas' marriages. Krishna came to sit beside his friend. He took out his flute and began playing. Soon a magical world enveloped them. The mesmerising music caressed Arjuna's bruised soul. A crescent moon peeped from behind dark clouds and poured molten silver onto the still earth. From somewhere in the shadows of the swaying trees, the sweet song of a nightingale accompanied Krishna's enchanting melody. Arjuna closed his eyes and lost himself in the music.

  "There is somebody waiting for you... who loves you. We can leave for Dwaraka tonight." Krishna said softly to his friend as the music faded away, dissolving into the surrounding mist. Arjuna slowly came out of his trance and looked at Krishna, his eyebrows lifted in a question. "Forget Draupadi, Arjuna. You married her for political reasons. By marrying the Panchala Princess, the Pandavas have become strong enough to challenge Duryodhana. Now it is time for love. Come with me to Dwaraka. I have a much more beautiful Princess waiting for you. Arjuna, follow me and you can steal my sister Subhadra's heart."

  "Subhadra? But isn't she betrothed to my cousin Suyodhana? How can I do such a dishonourable thing?" Arjuna asked, confused.

  "I know my sister better than anyone else. She no longer loves Duryodhana. She adores you. Remember the day Duryodhana insulted you by elevating the charioteer's son? Everybody's eyes were on the upstart Karna, except for my sister's. She alone felt for you. Noble Prince, the Suta stole your thunder that day, but you gained something more precious - my sister's heart. Do you think I would allow her to marry Duryodhana, my friend?"

  "How can I do something so dishonourable? She is promised..." Arjuna paused and looked at Krishna's smiling face. Rage struck him with the force of a thunderbolt. To hell with honour! His own brother had stolen his bride from him in the name of dharma. If Yudhishtra could do that to him, why could he not do the same to Duryodhana? Arjuna smiled at his friend and clasped his hand.

  ***

  The chariot carrying Krishna and Arjuna sped towards Dwaraka. On the way, they stopped at a tavern to feed the horses and refresh themselves. A group of travellers were sitting around a fire. The two friends were about to resume their journey when Arjuna was attracted by the beauty of a voice singing a devotional song. He moved towards the fire to listen while Krishna waited impatiently near the chariot, his dark body merging with the shadows and making him almost invisible.

  A beggar with a horribly scarred face was dancing near the fire, his hands rhythmically clapping to his song. A dog lay nearby, its tail wagging to the rhythm of the song while it gazed at the star-sprayed sky with unseeing eyes. The man sang rapturously about the love of God for all creation, and lamented Man's ingratitude for the blessing of life. Every moment was a cause for celebration, every breath a joyful melody, every act a prayer, and every thought an offering at Krishna's divine feet. Arjuna did not know why the poor beggar's song affected him so much. He felt he was doing something sinful and wrong. A group of young men came out of the tavern with food and began serving everyone. Most of the people being served were poor Untouchables. When the fire flared in the breeze, Arjuna suddenly saw one of the faces clearly, and was shocked. It was Karna! He also recognised the man playing with the blind dog. It was Aswathama. The three others distributing food were Suyodhana, Sushasana and Jayadratha.

  Arjuna suddenly felt ashamed. This was supposed to be his wedding night. How could he explain his presence here? He hurried back to the chariot and seated himself. When Krishna whipped the horses, Arjuna said, "That beggar was singing about you. Are you really a God to inspire so much faith in such poor creatures?"

  Krishna smiled as the chariot lurched forward, carrying away the Prince who kept wondering about the people who were said to be evil but who were spending the night with the poor; and his elder brother, who was the epitome of dharma, but was spending the night with the woman he had stolen. Only a God could explain such mysteries to him. The beggar's song and the scene he had just witnessed continued to haunt Arjuna's disturbed mind as they travelled through the night.

  ***

  Suyodhana impatiently awaited the arrival of the wedding procession bringing his bride to Hastinapura. The joy in his face gave the lie to his studied nonchalance. The palace buzzed with activity as there were just three days left for the Crown Prince's marriage to Princess Subhadra of Dwaraka. If this was not reason enough for Hastinapura to celebrate, the Princess Sushala's marriage to King Jayadratha of Sindh was to take place at the same time and venue.

  Almost a year had passed since Arjuna had won Draupadi at the swayamvara. The news that all the Pandava brothers were sharing Arjuna's bride, had shocked everyone. But gradually it became just a matter of ridicule. Six months before, Balarama had arrived in Hastinapura to arrange his sister's marriage to Suyodhana. Krishna had not accompanied him. Suyodhana was disappointed Subhadra had chosen not to come either. But he had been happy at the turn of events. Jayadratha had warned him that her feelings had warmed towards Arjuna, but he refus
ed to believe it. Nevertheless, he set his spies to check on the whereabouts of Arjuna. They informed him that Arjuna had been missing from the day of his marriage, and that Draupadi was serving her term as Yudhishtra's wife, with Bhima eagerly counting the days for his turn as Draupadi's husband. There was a rumour that someone had seen Arjuna and Krishna travelling towards Dwaraka in Krishna's chariot. But Krishna had arrived at the Dwaraka palace alone. Nobody had seen Arjuna. That eased Suyodhana's mind. Jayadratha had it all wrong.

  Once the Grand Regent and King Dhritarashtra had given their approval to the alliance with the Yadava Princess, Suyodhana had spoken to Balarama about fixing a day for the ceremony. If he felt any unease at Jayadratha's warning words, he buried it in his mind. His sister's alliance with one of his closest friends added to his joy. It had been Suyodhana's idea to have both ceremonies performed together. The wedding party from Sindh had already arrived, adding to the festivities. It was difficult to walk around the palace without bumping into someone.