Draupadi V - Subhadra

Draupadi spent a year with each husband in turn. Whenever he desired sexual intimacy, the "husband of the year" would come to her chambers. Though she shared physical intimacy with each Pandava in turn, deep within her soul she had a special place for Arjun. Once during her time with Yudhishthir she saw Arjun's bow lying around and in a fit of passion she took it with her to her chamber. "If I cannot spend the night with Arjun. I will spend it with his bow," she thought. But Yudhishthir came to her chamber that night.

In the middle of the night a brahmin knocked on Arjun's gate. Some thieves had stolen his cows and he needed Arjun's help. Arjun looked around for his bow. A maid informed him that Draupadi had taken it. He sent her to Draupadi's room to fetch the bow but the maid pointed to Yudhishthir's slippers lying outside the bedroom. It was impossible for her to enter the room. Arjun could not disturb his brother and Draupadi. However without his bow he could not help the brahmin. He decided that the honourable thing was to collect the bow himself and settle for twelve years of exile.

Krishna advised Arjun to use these twelve years to travel all over India and make allies. The prevalent way to seal an alliance was to marry the king's daughter. Arjun married quite a few princesses during his exile. He lived them for some years and then moved on to another kingdom. Draupadi did not mind this because she realised that these marriages were more in the nature of "business" than pleasure. Also these women would not be returning to Indraprastha with Arjun. But towards the end of the exile something happened which tore her heart apart with jealousy.

Duryodhana had learnt the art of using the mace from Balaram, who was Krishna's elder brother. Duryodhana had impressed Balaram and when he asked for the hand of Balaram's sister, his request was granted at once. But Krishna saw through Duryodhan's ploy of sealing an alliance with Dwarka, so that it would become impossible for Krishna to help the Pandavas. He called Arjun to Dwarka. He introduced his sister Subhadra to Arjun. It was love at first sight. He then asked both of them to elope. He advised that Subhadra should steer the chariot and Arjun should stand quietly behind her so as to make it evident that she was not being abducted. The plan worked. Balaram was compelled to revoke his pledge to Duryodhana and Subhadra and Arjun were married with great pomp and celebration.

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