Dhruv's Reviews > Draupadi: The Sati Series III

"A part of the Sati series, the book delves into the life of one of the most illustrious characters in mythical India. Dasgupta’s portrayal of Draupadi is fearless; it is a piercing voice cutting across the glaring eyes of a steady patriarchal society.

Married to Arjun after a pompous Swayamvar, Draupadi’s life as a new bride was shattered in seconds after her mother-in-law Kunti advised the Pandavas to "share whatever they brought." The demotion from being Arjun’s beloved to being married to five men was the first blow to Draupadi’s spirit.

With time and a few more chapters, the evolution of Draupadi’s character is fiercely visible. As a woman plagued with questions, Draupadi’s inquisitive nature made her question everything. Though she never got answers that quenched her queries, the book’s narrative explains how people around her considered her naïve, except Krishna and Bhishma.

The book describes Krishna as Draupadi’s conscience - a friend with whom she could bare her soul and ask all questions. Krishna was someone who listened to her and advised her. Whether it was a war of words with Kunti or explaining her ‘cruel’ fate, Krishna played a major role in charting Draupadi’s transformation from a newly-wed shy bride to a strong woman standing in the middle of a packed courtroom, promising to bring doom to the clan that humiliated her in public.

Another striking aspect of Draupadi’s story was her relationship with Bhishma. For her, Bhishma was barely the great warrior regarded as one of the most learned men in the land. The narrative continues to trace Draupadi’s thoughts during different situations: meeting Angaraj Karna, standing beside her husbands during the war of Kurukshetra, and understanding the underlying character of all those she misunderstood in the beginning.

Abiding by Krishna’s words of wisdom and patience, Draupadi’s character trajectory has been perfectly captured in the book, and the work is a precious addition to the Sati series."