Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1716

c8.1716

Bhīma could not hold himself calm against this atrocity any longer and in a roar of wrath he abused Dharmaputra for pledging Pāñcālī thus and losing her. Arjuna however remonstrated gently with Bhīma. Then to the consternation of all, Duḥśāsana started his shameful work of pulling at Pāñcālī’s robes to strip her of all the clothes. All earthly aid having failed Draupadī in utter helplessness implored divine mercy and succour. Then a miracle occurred. In vain did Duśśāsana toil to pull the garments completely and make her naked. As he pulled off each, fresh garments were seen to come from somewhere and cover her nudity. Duśśāsana retired from his work exhausted and disappointed. Then Karṇa ordered that Draupadī should be sent to the palace of Duryodhana as a servant-maid. Hearing this Duśśāsana once again started dragging her. Draupadī wept. Bhīma roared in fury and said that if his brother, Dharmaputra, gave him permission he would at that instant smash to death the Kauravas just like a lion killing the animals. Bhīṣma and Droṇa interfered and pacified him. Duryodhana stood up and striking his right thigh with his right hand challenged Bhīma to a fight. Bhīmasena did not like Duryodhana exhibiting his naked thigh in front of Draupadī and an angered Bhīma declared that he would in a battle break Duryodhana’s thigh with his mace. Dhṛtarāṣṭra came to the scene and pacified both of them and turning to Pāñcālī asked her to name any boon she wanted from him. Pāñcālī said : “In order that my son, Prativindhya, should not be called a ‘dāsaputra’ (son of a servant) his father Dharmaputra should be released from his servitude.” The boon was granted. Then she requested that all the other Pāṇḍavas should be set free. That was also allowed. Dhṛtarāṣṭra then asked her to name a third one. Pāñcālī then said that all Kṣatriya women were entitled only to two boons and so there was no need for a third one. Then Draupadī took a vow that her hair which was let lose by the wicked Duśśāsana would be tied properly only by a hand tainted by the blood of Duśśāsana. After that in strict obedience to the conditions of the wager the Pāṇḍavas started for the forests with Draupadī to spend twelve years in the forests and one year incognito. (Ten Chapters from Chapter 68, Sabhā Parva).