Draupadi | The Panchali Princess | Role in Mahabharata: In the sweeping canvas of the ancient Indian epic, the Mahabharata, there exist tales of valor.
Panchal Pradesh was located between the Himalayas and the river Chamba on both sides of the river Ganga. It was a significant entity during the time of the Mahabharata.
Draupadi, also known as Panchali had a divine birth. She emerged fully-grown from the sacrificial fire pit of a yajna, a ritual performed by King Drupada to seek revenge against Drona.
Draupadi’s Swayamvara, or self-choice ceremony, was an event of immense significance, attracting numerous suitors from all corners of the ancient Indian kingdoms.
Amidst the crowd of regal attendees, the disguised Pandava brothers, assumed to be dead at the time and living incognito, were present.
The humiliation of Draupadi in the Kaurava court, commonly known as the ‘Cheer Haran’ or disrobing, is one of the most critical episodes in the Mahabharata.
The incident was a result of a deceitful game of dice, where the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, staked and lost everything, including his kingdom, brothers, himself, and finally, Draupadi.
Draupadi, despite being a non-combatant, held a pivotal role in the Mahabharata war. She was the driving force behind the righteous indignation that led the Pandavas into the battle of Kurukshetra.