Sexual Life in Ancient India: A Study in the Comparative History of Indian Culture v2.c18.71

v2.c18.71

It has been fulfilled—Draupadī has seen all that insulted her lying on the ground, and given her ears their fill of the weeping and wailing of the wives of them that once had exulted in victory over her. And Duryodhana himself acknowledges how much she has contributed to this end. Before the last day of battle, when his cause is already in great straits, Kṛpa begs him to make peace. But Duryodhana says it is too late, the Pāṇḍavas could not be held back from the fight, as they are thinking of the shameful treatment of Draupadī. “From the day when Draupadī was tormented, and to my destruction brought to sorrow, she has slept ever on the bare ground, until hate shall have had its due. Dreadful is the penitential mortification that Kṛṣṇā has undergone that her husband’s cause may win; and Vāsudeva’s sister (Subhadrā) dropping self-regard and pride, serves her continuously, obedient as a slave. Thus all is in highest tension, and can nowise come to rest (nirvāti). . . . But this is not the time to play a manless part, but to fight” (ix, 5.17 ff. ; cp. v, 139.13, 18). But heavily must Draupadī pay for this happiness, too, and for the new royal splendour, moreover much lessened through the battles of extermination. Her father and brothers perish.