Draupadi VI - Coronation

In those days India was not one country, but consisted of many kingdoms, large and small. There was a hierarchy with the feudal lords being at the lower end and the emperors at the top. In order to assume the title of an emperor a king had to perform a sacrifice known as Rajsuya, in which he required the support of a number of his peers.

Through his friendly policies Yudhishthir had acquired the support of the required number of rulers. This included the allies made by Arjun during his exile and the king's that the Pandavas had released from Jarasandh's captivity. With Krishna's blessings he proclaimed that he was performing the Rajsuya sacrifice. There were some who did not take to this happily such as Duryodhana and enemies of Krishna, but they had no real reason to oppose the move. They grudgingly accepted the invitation to the coronation ceremony.

The coronation ceremony was grand without being a pompous show of wealth. Yudhishthir was seated at the centre on the dais. A beaming and resplendent Draupadi sat by his side. Draupadi was lost in her thoughts. "Had she been only Arjun's wife then some other woman would be seated in her place today. But she was willing to throw away this honour and attention if she could be only Arjun's. Or … was she?" Krishna was chosen to preside over the ceremony and took his place beside her. He seemed to read her mind and his look said that she had made the right choice. As always Krishna's presence reassured Draupadi and she began to focus on the proceedings.

Shishupal, a feudal king, had objected to Krishna presiding over the ceremony. In the altercation that followed Krishna released his Sudarshan Chakra, a disc like weapon, and beheaded Shishupal. When the disc returned to Krishna's hand, it nicked his index finger and caused it to bleed. Draupadi immediately tore off a piece of her garment and bandaged Krishna's bleeding finger. "That really wasn't necessary," said Krishna. "It doesn't behove an empress to be seen in tatters. When the time comes, I'll repay the debt of each thread a million times over."

The ceremony then was completed without any untoward incident. Krishna took Draupadi aside and suggested that she show Duryodhana Indraprastha's famed Palace of Illusions. "Why me?" said Draupadi, "You know I detest that man. Besides it doesn't behove an empress to escort guests around town."

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