The road to war

Author’s note: While the actual Mahabharata war has received a lot of attention in terms of literature and performing arts, I feel not enough light has been shed on the months and days leading up to the war. The debate, negotiations, disappointments, threats and fears — and pretty much the entire spectrum of emotions can be seen in the acts during those fateful days. Here is a short actual episode written as seen through the eyes of one of the central characters of the epic — Draupadi.

Whether there will be war or if we will settle this dispute peacefully will be known in the next minute, the realization struck me as I shivered in the cool evening breeze. This is perhaps the last evening of autumn, I thought, as the coming colder months filled me with a sense of foreboding. This was the moment when the fate of millions of lives would be determined. I sought justice, but I knew it would be costly. The real question was whether Yudhisthira was willing to pay that price. As Yudhisthira prepared to speak his mind about war or peace, I knew none of us would cross the line that he would draw. Despite the gravity of that moment, I couldn’t seem to stop my mind from racing backwards in time.

A few days earlier, Sanjaya carried a simple message from Yudhisthira to King Dhritarashtra — “We are not asking for much, we do not seek half the kingdom which is our right. Just give us five villages so we can go away and live a simple and content life. This will be our last offer and perhaps the last hope for peace, for we are ready to fight for our rights as well.” Dhritarashtra was overjoyed with this offer, but the joy was short lived with his rogue son Duryodhana declaring “Forget about five villages, I will not even give them land that will fit in a pin-point.”

Duryodhana was heaping insult upon injury by refusing to share even the smallest piece of the kingdom with us, the rightful heirs. I clasped my hands, I couldn’t figure out if they were trembling more from the cold or the anger. I reminded myself, “I have waited for this moment for a long time. My courage is no less than anyone else’s. I am Draupadi.”

As I warmed my hands over the crackling fire, I saw a slight smile on Krishna’s face. His eyes sized up the warrior brothers who sat around the rising flames with their eyes downcast. Krishna waited for Yudhisthira’s response to his question, “Duryodhana has made his intention clear, he will not yield an inch of land to you all. What do you want to do now?” Yudhisthira cleared his throat and said, “Krishna, we did everything as per the Kauravas’ conditions. We stayed in the jungle for twelve years, and remained incognito for a year after that. I know we should fight for what is right, fight to protect dharma. But a war will cause unprecedented destruction all around. Only you can help us think through our confusion and guide us in our decision.”

“All indications are that there will be war, but the world should know you tried, and tried again to stop this war from happening. I will be your messenger to King Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana, and that will be the last chance for peace,” Krishna suggested.

Yudhisthira’s stand disappointed me. “Is he afraid to face today’s reality,” I couldn’t help wondering, “a reality where lasting peace and prosperity can be established only with extreme force.”

It was Bheema’s turn to tell Krishna his views, and I was shocked by his words. “Krishna, when you meet the King Dhritarashtra, do not speak in a way that threatens war. I prefer to bow our heads to Duryodhana and live a life of servitude than to go to war. For this will truly be a world war which will destroy humanity.”

Time and space seemed to stand still, as though they were equally taken aback. Krishna finally broke the silence and said something which only he can to Bheema, “Are you in panic, my dear Bheema? Have you forgotten your vow to avenge the dire insult to Draupadi? Now that the fight is around the corner, are you afraid?” This was beginning to get more interesting, and I am afraid a bit tense as well.

Bheema showed no emotion as he replied respectfully, “I do not know fear, nor do I panic. I only wish to walk in the path shown by my elder brother Yudhisthira and you. But you know this already, yet you choose to needle me with your harsh words.”

“Bheema, I wanted to wake you up, and remind you that the path of karma is difficult. Do your duty, but know that neither victory nor glory is guaranteed,” said Krishna as he turned towards Arjuna.

I wish I could speak now and make my closest friend and confidant Krishna understand what’s on my mind. But I suspect he is saving the best for the last, for I sat next to him in this circle around the fire, next to Sahadeva. After Yudhisthira and Bheema, I braced for my next disappointment.

I saw Arjuna glancing at me, and I sensed an apology in his look. It might be negative thinking on my part, but I didn’t have much of a hope on him either. “Our eldest brother Yudhisthira has already spoken, so I have not much to say after that. We will not cross the line drawn by him and yourself Krishna, please tell us what we should do. I am ready for war or peace, but I am not ready to wait any longer,” Arjuna added hurriedly.

Have they all forgotten how I was treated by Duryodhana and his brothers? I wondered. No one in that august gathering spoke up against the injustice done to me, except mantri Vidura. I can forgive pitamaha Bhishma and guru Drona for being mute spectators to the horror, for they are my elders and I am sure they will have to answer for their deeds eventually. I just cannot see why the brothers seem so unsure, when it is so clear to me that we have to take the fight to evil and finish it. Lasting peace can only be built with the steel of the sword, not with the stem of white roses.

Nakula was non-committal, and left it to Krishna to decide. The only person who made sense to me was Sahadeva. Much to my pleasant surprise, Sahadeva spoke against his older brothers’ views for once. He said, “I want to fight the Kauravas even if it means going against dharma as laid down by my revered brother. Even if Duryodhana wants peace, I will not relent. I am ready for war.”

Krishna looked at me and said with conviction, “Draupadi, you are my dearest friend. The only person whose opinion really matters today is yours. I am eager to know what you think.”

“You have always been there for me,” I looked at Krishna as I spoke. “Bhishma and Dhritarashtra did not stop the insult done to me in their court. It hurts me to hear the great warrior brothers speaking the language of compromise with injustice. Of what use is Bheema’s unbeatable strength and Arjuna’s unparalleled skill in archery, if they are not used to stop Duryodhana and his evil empire? Only you can show us all the right path.”

I saw Krishna’s gentle smile as he held my hands and assured me, “Your days of hurting will be over soon, Draupadi. For if Duryodhana and his brothers do not heed my advice, they will set in motion an unstoppable chain of events which will lead to their destruction.”

As he turned around to hear Yudhisthira’s final thoughts, I saw in Krishna’s eyes the glowing embers from the fire reflected — a mixture of compassion and steely resolve. Yudhisthira said with folded hands, “Krishna, you are our last hope to avoid war. Please take our message of peace to the King.”

While the night was ending, I had a feeling that the dark days for Duryodhana and his unholy allies were just beginning.