Feminist of the Highest order

The four women in particular who wielded power in more than one form were Sathyavathi the dusky fragrant fisher woman, who became the queen , Pritha( Kunthi) the fair maiden who reluctantly became the mother of five sons and Krishnaa , daughter of the fire , Druapadi. and Mother ganga, the supreme,unquestionable , who threw away all her new borns into the river and simply walked away.

Very few women stand out as much as the character of Draupadi. Draupathi is noted for her fearlessness as for her memory skills. In those days many women were experts in numbers and recognition skills.. Draupadi lived in a time when there was no question of women’s equality with men.

Drupada, allowed Draupadi to be educated. Drupada had engaged learned Brahmins for the education of his sons. Draupadi also joined them and became an expert in Political Science” It is possible that the unique qualities that Draupadi possessed, such as strength and audacity, are a result of being educated. Having such a complete education would have given Draupadi a sense of confidence unfamiliar to most women. Also Draupadi was quick to learn and had thirst for knowledge; she had a keen memory and had a vast knowledge on many subjects. Her intellect and knowledge did not however hinder her ability to be a dutiful wife. “Draupadi was a devoted wife, chaste, religious minded and adhering to duty.

. She was quick to see the benefit of her polyandrous lifestyle and was able to take all obstacles in stride. She had a great understanding of the balance between being bold and forthright, and being submissive and dutiful.

Draupadi had presence of mind and fearlessness even during calamities. She could rebuke and threaten the Kauravas, Jayadratha and Kichaka for molesting her and was bold enough to argue with the members of the assemblies of the Kurus and also Virata.. It is Draupadi’s reaction to situations like these, that set her apart from her husbands;

Draupathi's knowledge of politics is well known.The Pandavas relied on her decisions most of the times. Her life was full of ups and downs and she maintained her dignity in both the situations. It is Draupadi’s ability to overcome adversity in a venerable manner that sets her apart from other women.

In the Mahabharata she proves that no situation is insurmountable, and she never abandons her husbands, regardless of the positions they lead her into. After the incident at the court of the Kurus, Draupadi emerges as a much more powerful character.She was reasonable even while being harsh.

She could argue forcibly to win her point with apt quotations and illustrations from various scriptures ,her knowledge on various subjects like righteousness, duties and codes of conduct for the four Varnas (castes), moral, legal and ethical codes made every listener spell bound.

. Although Draupadi was desperate for revenge on those who harmed her, her distinction between right and wrong was rarely clouded and she was often in pursuit of justice. Draupadi’s distinction among other women from the epics is paramount and well deserved; she was far ahead of her time, often found commanding her husbands to do her bidding. It is her ability to use her position with responsibility and insight that show her true power as a woman.

More than her memory skills,her superb qualities steadfast devotion to duty, spirit of self sacrifice, fortitude; courage, capacity for hard work, presence of mind, perseverance, endurance, thirst for knowledge, wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong and strength to fight against injustice, truth, modesty, forgiveness, softness and harshness as the occasion demanded , make her unique.She was the first feminist of the highest order.

Jayasala 42

Feminist of the Highest order