Understanding Draupadi's Devotion in the Mahabharata

1. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion The Disrespect of Draupadi

2. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Recap • What did we learn about Yudhisthira’s character? • What was his leadership like? • When the first offering from the Rajasuya yajna was about to be offered to Krishna, who objected and what happened? • How was Duryodhana humiliated in Indraprastha due to the special illusory hall?

3. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Lesson Objective By the end of this lesson you will: Be able to describe Draupadi’s devotion. WILF • I can hear a passage from the Mahabharata • I can discuss what happened during the gambling match. • I can imagine how Draupadi might have felt and write a prayer from her perspective.

4. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Shakuni influences Duryodhana • Shakuni smiled. “O king, their wealth, can also be yours. On your side you have mighty heroes, all your brothers and so many others. With their assistance you could surely rule the entire world.” • “I believe that Yudhisthira is fond of dice,” Shakuni said, twisting the end of his dark mustache. “However, he is not so expert at the game.”

5. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion • Duryodhana smiled in understanding. No matter how good Yudhisthira might be at dice, he would be no match for Shakuni, who spent his whole time practicing. Shakuni could make the dice do practically anything he wanted. • “Just challenge him, O king, and I shall do the rest,” Shakuni continued. “Let me play on your behalf and I will win for you this whole world.”

6. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Vidura warns Dhritarastra that a dispute may arise • Dhritarastra’s response was firm. “Whether right or wrong, the game will go ahead. Everything depends upon fate. If fate favors us, then no dispute will arise. And if fate ordains otherwise what can we do?” • Vidura said “This reasoning is false. We have to take responsibility for what we do, for we always have free will. Everything lies in God’s hands, but he is giving us the results of our own actions. It is up to us how we act. Think about why you want this gambling match. If you are acting out of impure motives then the results will not be auspicious.”

7. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion The Gambling Match Read the attached story about the gambling match.

8. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Draupadi’s Devotion • Do you know what Krishna did in response to Draupadi prayer, when Dushana was unraveling her sari?

9. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion I am expecting extended writing!  TASK: Imagine… • Task 1-Imagine you are Draupadi. How might you feel at that moment, when you’re praying? • Now write a prayer from her perspective. • Really try to enter into her mood. • You don’t need to explain the details of what has happened unless it’s relevant to the prayer. or • Task 2- write about whether you think the Pandavas should have gambled. What should they have done? It this right? • Or do both!

10. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Example task 2: In my opinion the Pandavas did the correct thing by accepting the challenge of a game of dice. This was a rare opportunity not to be missed to gain their kingdom back. Further they were Kshatriyas so it was their duty to accept the challenge. If they had backed down then they would have lost all honour and people would have laughed at them. How would you feel in their shoes? On the other hand gambling is not a virtuous activity and if you win money you haven’t really earned it in a honest way. You should get a job and earn money in that way. Also gambling is a addictive activity, as if you win once you want to keep doing it and then next time you might lose everything…look what happened to the pandava…

11. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Example of prayer task 1: O Govinda! O krishna, My dearest Lord please help me! I am in a pitiful situation and there is no one but you who can help me. I know you love your devotees so much and you always protect them. You are my only shelter. I have been let down by my husbands, relatives and even the king but I know you will not let me down. How can anyone be so cruel to a woman to…..

12. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion Word Bank Yudhistar Duryodhana Draupadi Pandavas Kurus gambling honour addiction anxiety exciting integrity distressed desperate reliant virtue chastity insulted

13. We are learning to describe Draupadi’s devotion challenge: Mahabharata Poster • Make a poster about the Mahabharata. • Include the plot up to the Kuruksetra war, in brief. • Write a couple of sentences about each of the main characters and what we can learn from them. • Try to include what mode (goodness, passion or ignorance) you think some of the characters are in. • Be creative and illustrate your work. You can present it in different ways.