Sunday Thought By Kunal Roy

THE DARK SECRET LOVE: A Perspective

The Pandavas and Draupadi were still in exile. Only one year was left for them to complete the whole term of thirteen years. The Sun God was worshipped by Yudhishthira. The God advised them to spend the last year of their incognito in the kingdom of Virata which is now in the Morang district of eastern Nepal.
The five brothers disguised themselves and assumed different names in order to avoid from being identified! Draupadi was also given the name of Sairandhri, the female page of the Queen Sudeshna. The Queen and her other attendants were overwhelmed by the extraordinary elegance of Sairandhri. Sudeshna accepted her as her close companion. The whole place was in order until that fateful day appeared when the commander-in- chief of the king Virata named Kichaka rode his chariot and reached the kingdom. He was welcomed by the king. Later he went to meet her sister Sudeshna. Kichaka was the eldest son of Kekaya, the king of Sutas and Malavi. He had 105 younger brothers known as Upakichakas. The Queen Sudeshna was his sister. All of them were born from the aspects of Banasura.
Kichaka came across Malini, the name given to Sairandhri ( disguised status of Draupadi) in Sudeshna’s room. After the formal greetings, his eyes fell on Malini and his lust to have Malini in his arms touched the height of mind. He talked to Sudeshna on this. At the very outset Sudeshna didnot agree, but later she paired up with his brother to hatch the conspiracy! Sudeshna asked Malini that she would have to accompany her to her brother’s palace! Malini hesitated but she had to do what was being asked her to carry out. Both went to Kichaka’s palace. Queen Sudeshna ordered Malini to bring the grape juice from Kichaka’s room as she was very thirsty and her throat parched up! Malini desired to convince Sudeshna but in vain. As she walked towards the Kichaka’s room, she prayed to the Sun God to save her chastity. Though the Sun God sent a monster to restrain Kichaka, the lust didnot abate. After a brief scuffle, Kichaka rose up and chased Malini. The latter managed to reach the court of Virat to seek justice! But the king was helpless and Malini cried bitterly for her insult. She vowed to avenge her insult. She met Bhima in the darkest hours of night and complained him of the whole matter. She told him that she would not witness the next day’s sunshine unless Kichaka was punished for his sinister thoughts! Bhima suggested Malini to meet Kichaka and welcome him to her room at night, when the whole kingdom would fall asleep!
Really something terrible was waiting eagerly to embrace Kichaka. Bhima disguised himself and waited for Kichaka. The commander-in-chief went inside, misinterpreted the whole matter and counted a huge cost! A terrible fight took place between Kichaka and Bhima. But luck favoured Bhima and he killed Kichaka. The place where he was killed is in the Jhapa district.
After this news spread like a wild fire, everyone suspected and blamed Malini. The Sutas decided to bury Malini alive with Kichaka. Malini screamed to save herself. Yudhishthira and Bhima heard her. Bhima took a huge log of wood and rushed towards the Sutas. The Sutas being afraid, dispersed and set Malini free! Malini and her husbands returned to the palace and the King Virata welcomed her in all possible ways.
Honour and chastity are the assets of a woman. A woman like Draupadi would never compromise with her dignity, no matter who he was! Every hour she was either tried to be disrobed or harrassed in different ways. Things were unbearable to her. The only path was to protect herself from such clutches by hook or crook! She gave an apt reply to her foes. After all she was Draupadi, the epitome of womanhood!!