Women’s Day happened. Women’s Day is over.
But here I am, sharing the story of one of the strongest women that we’ve known.
Draupadi aka Panchali.
One of the most tragic episodes in the Mahabharat is her vastraharan.
It is appalling, enraging, eye-opening and spiritual: all at the same time.
We see the men have various reactions
Bheeshma, Krupacharya and Drona are arguing over technicalities
The Pandavs are standing powerless, heads hanging in shame
Duryodhan and Dushashasan are outraged by her modesty
She is screaming at everyone for help, but no one steps forward.
As she tightly clutches the only cloth covering her, she cries out to Krishna for help
Not once. Not twice. Legends say she invoked nine different names of Krishna.
It was only when she invoked the tenth name ‘Govind’ that he appeared and rescued her.
Later, Draupadi demands an explanation
“Why did you wait for that particular name to appear? Are you partial to it?”
Krishna smiled and lovingly explained, “It’s not about a particular name, or the number of times you took my name.”
“Then what was it about? Why did you not come as soon as I pleaded you to help?”
“I’ll tell you why. As you called out to me, one name after another, you were clenched your first, holding on to your clothes.
While you wanted me to help, you were still relying on your strength to save the situation.
“When you realised that there was no way out and you had no chance of saving the situation, you let go of your hands and shouted ‘Govind.’
I immediately came to your help.
I heard ‘Go’ in Dwarka and ‘Vind’ in Hastinapur. I was already helping you before you finished the word.”
Isn’t this an amazing lesson!?
The universe is not out there, but here – right next to us.
Ready to help us in every way possible.
All it asks for us is to leave our illusion of control.
It would be amazing to surrender all our worries and just go with the flow.
Hai na?
