The Palace Of Illusions

Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

'MAHABHARATA' is one of the supreme and timeless epics of Hinduism. Even after a million years, Mahabharta is a source of wisdom for Indians. However, a question that has been controversial and frequently debated even now is 'who caused the huge war of Mahabharta?'. And, many people still believe that 'Draupadi' is responsible for Mahabharat. However, the real question one has to ask is, was Draupadi sole reason? Draupadi must be having some notions for her actions. So far, Draupadi's character narrated as a beautiful but unfortunate, controversial woman in books. However, 'The palace of illusion' is a revolutionary book in this regard. The writer portrayed Draupadi as a brave, passionate and heroic instead of weak and self-pitying woman. Narrated by 'Panchaali' herself, the novel conveys the unheard voice of an exceptional woman. The author has neither changed the original storyline nor altered characters. Instead, she has given an alternate and new perspective; through Draupadi's eyes.

The story opens up with childhood of Panchaali; the queen of Panchaal and daughter of the king Dhrupad. Panchaali and her brother Dhristadyumna were born from fire. Panchaali craved love and respect that she never got in her father's place in childhood. Panchaali was a very sharp and inquisitive child. She wanted to learn all the knowledge that Kshatriya needs. However, her father neglected her education and forced her to acquire all the skills a noblewoman required. Panchaali used to hate art lessons. Often, she used to make Dhri tell everything that he learnt from his tutor. Panchaali was sad because none of her father's wives used to love her. She was alone and suffocating within the dark walls of the palace. An only person that could cheer her was Krishnaa, her best friend. Krishnaa was enigmatic and joyful. Panchaali used to love talking with him on bizarre topics.

 A sage named Vyas wrote Panchaali's destiny well before in his book, and she knew it. Sage told Panchaali, 'She will marry five greatest heroes. She will be the queen of queens, envied even by goddesses. And will be a servant maid. She will be mistress of the most magical of places and then lose it. And, will be remembered for causing the greatest war of her time. She will bring about deaths of evil kings, her children and brother. A million women will become widows because of her. But, she will leave a mark on history. She will be loved, though she will not know who loves her. Despite her five husbands, she will die alone, abandoned at the end'. He also told her that her pride, temper, vengefulness would speed up the process. He advised Panchaali to hold back her question and laughter in dangerous times in future to change the forestall. But, destiny is strong and swift. You can't trick it easily.

When Panchaali was in her marriage's age, her father decided to arrange a Swayanvar to select a groom. Initially, Panchaali was happy as she would get the chance to opt for her husband, soon she realised that its mere myth. Deep down in heart, Panchaali wanted Karna as her husband. She fell in love with him the moment she saw him. Yes! She was in love with Karna! However, her pride hold her back so, she ended up insulting him in Swaynvar and, Arjun won Panchaali's hand to become her husband. And destiny played its role!

When Kunti told to share the surprise( Panchaali) with all the sons, all five brothers obediently followed her wish. And, Panchaali's fate of becoming the wife of five husbands became the bitter reality. She wanted Arjun to stand up for her. But, to Panchaali's disappointment, he did nothing. Panchaali's relation with Kunti was bitter. Kunti used to taunt her. Instead of suffering like 'Aadarsh Bahu', Panchaali used to answer appropriately in every situation. Kunti used to hate the fact that her sons now depends on Panchaali than her. All brothers used to seek advice from Panchaali in critical decisions because of her wise and discerning mind.

When Dhritarashtra agreed to handover Yudhisthir his birthright, Pandavas got Khandav, keeping Hastinapur for Duryodhan. Brothers built a magnificent palace in Khandav. Panchaali decorated palace as her wish and, she named it too. Finally, she became a mistress and queen of the ‘Palace Of Illusion'. It was the most niche place for her. She spent the most beautiful part of her life in the palace of illusion. It was very close to her heart.

Out of all of her husbands, Bheem was the one who used to love Panchaali truly. Her husbands took other wives too. Some times there were political reasons, but mostly it was male desire. Panchaali was jealous of other wives. She used to retaliate with tantrums, refusing food and throwing expensive objects at her husbands in anger. Panchaali used to hate the fact that Arjun love Subhadra more than her. He never used to treat her like the way he used to treat Subhadra. Eventually, Panchaali became friendly with the wives. Over time, Panchaali grew to become a mature woman although, her secret love for Karna never faded. She always used to think about what Karna would have done whenever she used to feel helpless and sad because of her husbands. But, every time magically Krishna used to appear to appease her pains.

Everything was going good until Yudhisthir lost the game of gamble against Duryodhan. Draupadi was humiliated in the court of Hastinapur full of men. She was shattered and shocked at the same. No one dared to intervene; even her five husbands. They sent tortured glances but, sat paralysed. One bitter truth Panchaali leant that day was her husband's honour, loyalty towards each other was more important to them than her suffering. No woman could have thought like that. That's why they say, men and women are two different sides of coins! For men, the softer emotions always intertwined with power and pride. That was why Karna waited for Panchaali to plead him though he could have stopped her suffering. That was so he turned on her when she refused to ask for his pity. The incident changed Panchaali inside out. She pleaded to take vengeance for her humiliation.

After the loss in gamble, Pandavas were sent to exile for thirteen years. They lost their beloved palace of illusion too, so they set it on fire. Panchaali chose to face hardship instead of staying back with her sons. She suffered a lot for twelve years in the forest. In the last year of exile, Panchaali and her husbands decided to disguise. Panchaali became attendant of the queen Sudeshna.  Kichaka, the general of the kingdom, tried to molest her but was killed by Bheem. 

When Duryodhan refused to honour the terms of the wager, the war was inevitable. Kurukshetra war was the most dreadful war which lasted for eighteen days. Every day used to arise with weird qualms and used to end with suffering and great pain. Eventually, Panchaali's husbands avenged her humiliation by killing Duryodhan and Karna in the war.  However,  Kunti revealed a secret which she kept for years that Karna was her eldest son. And, the fact of killing their brother made the victory of Pandavas an endless sorrow and regret. Panchaali lost her sons, father and brothers in the war. But, part of her known that who sows the vengeance must reap the bloody fruit.

After the war, Hastinapur became the city of women, widows who lost their loved ones. Even Yudhishthira was feeling helpless at such time, Panchaali stood stronger. Panchaali helped poor women and orphans to rehabilitate.

In final years of life, Pandava brothers decided to handover throne to Pariksit; son of Abhimanyu. They decided to undertake their life's final journey by travelling path of Himalaya. Panchaali also insisted on going along with them against everyone's will. How could she leave them alone on their final journey! She was the only consort that dared accompany the Pandavas on the final, fearsome adventure.

On the final journey, Panchaali was the one who fell first. But, her husbands didn't stay back. How could they as it was against rule! Abandoning her was easy option than going to hell! 

When Panchaali was breathing her last few breaths, she thought about her love; Karna. She thought Karna would have never abandoned her for the sake of heaven. She thought about her beloved friend Krishnaa and her palace of illusion. But, no thoughts about her husbands. When she fell, she didn't weep but raised her hand in brave farewell. A poem written by Amreeta Syam describes Draupadi's last thoughts very aptly.

"Draupadi has five husbands-she has none...

She had five sons- and was never a mother....

The pandavas have given Draupadi.

No joy, no sense of victory.

No honour as a wife.

No respect as a mother-

Only the status of a queen....

And they all have gone ...

And I'm left with lifeless jewel...

And an empty crown...

My baffled motherhood

Writing its hands and strives to weep"

Panchaali was born through fire to change the course of history. And, indeed she did! She was born to rebel against the boundaries society has prescribed for women. Hence, she represents every modern woman who takes a firm stand and rebel. Vyas told Panchaali that she would be remembered as the most amazing queen the land has seen and, women would chant her name for blessing and luck. Instead of recalling Panchaali as a reason for war; remember her as a powerful woman who is the reason for the emergence of modern feminism. 

Link to purchase the book- The Palace Of Illusion