Madhuvidya

Author(s): S D Laddu, T N Dharmadhikari, Madhvi Kolhatkar, Pratibha Pingle
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 536

MEHENDALB : Once Again Draupadi's Hair
161
their hair the way they were before the commencement of the period i, e, as braided before. When in period they were not supposed to untie them for combing or for any other purpose.
Conclusion: There is no evidence to show that Draupadl wore hor hair loose and dishevelled before the start of the dice match. Her hair were dishevelled later, though tied up, because of shakings.
2. Starting for the forest
Draupadi, when she started for the forest, was rajasvalā and mukta. kesi (2.70.9; 2. 71. 18). On this basis H. argues that since some days must have elapsed between the first match of the dice and the start for the forest after the second match, and since Draupadi cannot be rajasvalā for a great number of days, the word rajasvalā used to describe Draupadi's condition while starting for forest cannot mean observing her period'. It has to be taken to mean being in a gencral state of impurity'. The general state of impurity attaches not only to Draupadi but to the Pandavas as well because they all were entering " into a realm of death symbolized by the gestures of their chaplain Dhaumya who strews darbha grass to the death Goddess Nirfti and sings Saman verses to Yama (2.71.21 )" (p. 189). For his new meaning of rajasvala H. thinks he finds support in the curse-like words uttered by Draupadi. She said : “ The Kaurava women, fourteen years hence, would offer water to the dead and then enter the city Hastinapura in a rajasvalā state" (2.71.19-20). Since all Kaurava women cannot be rajasvală in its normal sense at the same time, H. argues, the word in this context must mean being in an impure condition' arising out of the death of near relatives. Draupadi's wearing her hair loose at the start of the exile is indicative of this defilement associated with death.
All this is not convincing. Draupadi could have started her period the very day the first match of dice was played and if the Mbh. tells us that she was still in her period when the Pandavas started for forest it only means that an interval of not more than two ( or three ) days elapsed between the two
6 While listing the Sabhi incidents that occurred before the Pandavas started for forest
H. mentions the question raised by Draupadi and adds that the question was never resolved (p. 188 ). This is an erroneous view about an important event. This view has held its ground for quite a long time. Draupadi's question was squarely answered. by Arjuna (2. 63. 21) and his answer settled that Draupadl had not become a Däsi. For a detailed discussion see the author's paper "Draupadi's question". JOIB 35, 179-194 (1986). 21 [Annals BORT)
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