Offbeat: These mistakes of Draupadi laid the foundation of the Mahabharata war, she had insulted many people knowingly or unknowingly

The Mahabharata, an epic of India, has many major characters who significantly influence its narrative. One of the most important characters is Draupadi, whose role is crucial to the story.

Draupadi, who was known for her pride and devotion, was the wife of the five Pandavas. The story of her character and her revenge laid the foundation for the great war of the Mahabharata. Let's learn about the various aspects of Draupadi's life and the war that led to her actions.

Insult of Karna

Draupadi had liked the Daanveer Karna, but due to his Sutputra status she changed her feelings towards Karna. During the Swayamvara, she refused to allow Karna to compete and insulted him. This insult caused deep wounds in Karna's mind and he remained friends with Duryodhana throughout his life. Throughout the war, Karna remained loyal to Duryodhana and bravely met his end.

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Wife of Five Husbands

An important event in Draupadi's story occurred when she chose Arjuna as her husband following the rules of Swayamvara. However, circumstances forced her to become the wife of all five Pandavas. Draupadi accepted all five Pandavas as her husbands on the advice of her mother-in-law Kunti and Sage Vyasa. This decision was crucial in setting the stage for the Mahabharata war.

Insulting Duryodhana

During Yudhishthira's coronation at Indraprastha, Draupadi insulted Duryodhana by calling him the son of a blind man who fell into a Mayavi kund (a magical pool). This insult was later avenged when Duryodhana disrobed Draupadi in the court. This act of vengeance made the Pandavas swear revenge, which laid the foundation for the Mahabharata war.

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Draupadi's revenge and the role of the Pandavas

Draupadi was burning in the fire of insult. She rebuked the Pandavas and incited them to take revenge. She vowed not to tie her hair until it was washed with Duryodhana's blood. Bhima also vowed to break Duryodhana's thigh and tear open Dushasana's chest and drink his blood. Karna had insulted Draupadi in the court by calling her a prostitute, which led Draupadi to advise Arjuna to take revenge on Karna.

Insult by Jayadratha

During their exile, Jayadratha attempted to take Draupadi away on his chariot. The Pandavas rescued her, but Draupadi chose to insult Jayadratha instead of killing him. This incident had repercussions in the Mahabharata war when Jayadratha played a key role in killing Arjuna's son Abhimanyu in the Chakravyuha formation.

Draupadi's experiences marked a turning point in the Mahabharata narrative. Her humiliation, her quest for revenge, and her complicated relationship with the Pandavas shaped the course of the war. Her story is a powerful example of how personal grievances and revenge can have a profound impact on society and politics.