Hindu Mythology

Lesson 6: The Mahabharata

Polyandry

After Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand in her swayamvar, the Pandavas took her to their hideout in Ekachakra. When Kunti heard the footsteps of her sons she asked them to share whatever they had brought among themselves. The episode is described in considerable detail in the text. It narrates how destiny has led Draupadi to have five husbands. Some sources have a slightly different narration. Draupadi made her request only once but she added a long list of qualities that she wanted in her husband. Shiva said that it would be impossible to find one man with all these qualities. Hence she would have five husbands in her next life. All of them together would posses the qualities she had enumerated.

Draupadi was living not only in a polyandrous relationship, but a polygamous one as well because the Pandava brothers had other wives. Bhim was already married to Hidimbaa and had a son through her. He did not bring Hidimbaa into the 'civilised' world, but he did spend time with her at her home in the forests. Arjuna married several princesses after his marriage to Draupadi, including Krishna's sister Subhadra. Whereas the other princesses stayed in their fathers' kingdoms, Subhadra came to Indraprastha to live with him. After the deaths of Shishupal and Jarasandh, Nakul and Sahadev married their daughters as a token of friendship.

The polyandrous situation in which Draupadi found herself was not a normal one in the then prevalent society. In fact most mythological texts term it as an aberration, not to be taken as a precedent. However, polygamy was acceptable and widely practised. Polygamy was allowed because it served a purpose and polyandry was discouraged because it posed a danger to society. Ancient India was characterised by frequent wars. Men were regularly killed in battle, and hence the women outnumbered men. Polygamy was essential because it provided a safety net for the extra number of women, whereas polyandry would only make the situation worse. The society at that time was patrilineal and it was essential to know who the child's father was for the continuation of the family. Whereas this would be possible in polygamy, it would not be possible in polyandry. It was to ensure that the link between father and child was maintained, Vyasa had imposed the one-year period for each husband. In due course Draupadi had five sons, one from each of her five husbands. Prativindhya was the son of Yudhishthir, Srutasoma of Bhim, Srutakirti of Arjuna, Satanika of Nakul, and Srutakarma of Sahadev. Unlike many other step-mothers Draupadi was extremely fond of the children her husbands had from their other wives. Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was her favourite.

The one year separation period had one other condition. During that period the other husbands were forbidden to enter the chamber in which Draupadi and the husband-of-the-year are spending intimate moments. If one did so, even accidentally, he would be exiled for twelve years. There was a strategic reason behind this. War with the Kauravas was inevitable and the Pandavas needed to establish alliances with other rulers. Arjuna was to undertake a tour for this purpose but in public eye the purpose had to be something else. A drama was staged. Arjuna entered Draupadi’s chamber when Yudhishthir was there and was exiled. During this exile he established many friendships often by marrying princesses.

Optional Exercises

6a. Swayamvar means choosing ones husband oneself. It was then a tradition among the royalty that the girls be allowed to choose their husbands themselves. It was projected as a progressive practice. There were two types of swayamvars. One in which the maiden was really allowed to choose a husband from the gathering of suitors. She would garland the man of her choice. In the other suitors had to perform a test and the first successful suitor was given the lady’s hand. This was hence not really a swayamvar. Read about Draupadi’s swayamvar from the text (page 234). It, to some extent combines aspects of both types.

It is surprising that in a society in which women from all classes were oppressed this kind of freedom was allowed to some women. Was there an ulterior motive?

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