DRAUPADI'S GRIEF

PRATHIKAMI went to Draupadi asordered by his master. He said to her: "O revered princess, Yudhishthira fell under the spell of the game of dice and has wagered and lost even you.

Now you belong to Duryodhana. I have come by Duryodhana's command to take you to serve in his household as maid- servant, which will hereafter be youroffice."

Draupadi, the spouse of the emperor who had performed Rajasuya, was dumb founded, at this strange message. She asked:   "Prathikami, what do you say? Which prince would pledged his wife? Had he nothing else to pawn?"

Prathikami answered: "It is because he bad already lost all other possessions and had nothing else left that he played offering you as a stake."

Then he told her the whole story of how Yudhishthira had lost all his wealth and had finally betted her, after having first forfeited his brothers and himself.  

[ Back ] [ Up ] [ Next ]