Episode 19
The women stand united.
The Kauaravi’s
were eager to know the opinion of Pandavi’s on Duryodhana’s proposal to end the
dreaded war.
Bhima’s
wife Hidimba expressed her displeasure that Karna used the mightiest weapon to
kill her son who was very young. Despite losing her son, she bravely
complimented Karna for glorifying her son’s death on the battlefield. A brave
lady of a robust husband indeed.
Subhadra
too was unhappy that Karna took part in stabbing her son Abhimanyu from the
back. Yet, she was proud that her son became immortal due to these Karna’s
men. She expressed her reservations about Karna. She, however, reminded that her
husband Arjuna himself consented with Karna not to fight, and hence she has no
say in the matter.
Uttara
remained neutral about Karna, but was against the truce. She highlighted how
Duryodhana’s man Ashwattaama had inhumanly attempted to kill the yet-to-be-born
child in her womb. She emphasised that this brutal act needs no sympathy.
All the
Pandavi’s were vocal about this wretched act of Ashwattaama in addition to his
massacring the Pandava siblings in their sleep. An act unpardonable they
opined.
Interestingly,
the Kauravi’s too condemned this ghastly act. They went a step ahead in
suggesting that Ashwattaama should be subjected to a miserable death before
Duryodhana’s condition is accepted. He has made the Kaurava heads hang in shame they yelled.
Having
heard the feelings of the women present, expressed so openly irrespective of
their affiliations, Draupadi had now to pronounce her own opinion before
concluding. She realised that the women present here were all common kith and
kins of the dead and equally shared the sorrow.
She
narrated how Karna had time and again either took lead or joined hands in
insulting her very feminine modesty. She also wondered about the predicament
she will face if Karna becomes the King. Since Karna is the eldest of the
Pandava’s, what if Kunti asks her to recognise him also as the husband? What
then would be the position of Vrishali and Supriya? Heart in heart, all along,
she admired Karna as he possessed all the special qualities of the other five
Pandavas put together. She apologised for calling him umpteen times a Suta
Putra unknowingly. She, however, did not forget to enquire with Bhanumati, what
Duryodhana will do after making Karna the King. It’s a crucial thing to be
clarified, she emphasised.
They all
concluded, that it is their legitimate duty to convey their feelings to the
elders, yet accept the final verdict in order to uphold the traditions in the
family. They did not fail to resolve that the women, irrespective of their
attachments and affiliations will remain one in the future.
The ball
once again, fell in the court of elders.
To be
continued in episode 20…
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