Introduction
The chapters of Draupadi Harana parva can be accessed by tag https://crackpot.substack.com/t/jayadratha
As It Rhymes
1.
Vaishampayana said,
Drupada’s daughter’s eyes grew wide and rolled from side to side.
Draupadi’s wrath would not hide.
2.
Draupadi said,
‘You are a fool to throw away your fame.
My men slaughter cannibals and bandits like prey game.
3.
It’s not wise to throw shade at ascetic penance.
Like a rabid dog barking at the sun you beg to get silenced.
4.
Not one of your warrior buddies wants any part of my hubbies.
Not one of you will survive any one of the five in a tussle.
5.
So now you are a main astride the mountain.
Soon all that will remain is a bloody stain.
6.
Boy, you pull the sleeping lion’s lid.
Fun and games until you see Bhimasena pop off, kid.
7.
Jishnu will quake you.
Vishnu will forsake you.
8-9.
Your gang trips on two black cobras with tongues flicking.
If you touch me their fangs will strike fast as lightning.’
10.
Jayadratha said,
‘I know the rules, Krishnaa.
I just thought it may be possible to save you from this cesspool.
11.
Everyone in this room was born in a good line.
Pandu’s sons are born losers in our mind.
12.
Come ride my chariot or ride an elephant if you don’t want to be my wife.
Either way now is your chance to ditch this wretched life.’
13.
Draupadi said,
‘The King of Sauvira thinks I have no spine.
Yet your out of line invite to ride - I decline.
14-15.
Your play with fire will inspire Arjuna to kill your line.
16.
Janardana will hound you wherever you hide.
The Pandavas will pound you on every side.
17.
Gandiva makes a frightful sound when Arjuna stretches.
Bhima makes ghastly noises when crushing wretches.
18.
Arjuna’s arrows swarm from Gandiva like locusts.
Arjuna’s arrows rip the air like stinging hornets.
19.
The sounds of conch shell and Gandiva are hell.
How will you draw breath when Arjuna’s arrows pierce your chest?
20.
Who will grieve you after Bhima’s club splits your skull like a crab shell?
Will you leave when the twins’ flashing swords slice your flesh?
21.
If you take me away they will follow without rest.
A fool like you will take no more than a day to find and arrest.
22.
After they scatter your ashes, I’ll return to Kamayaka forest.’
23.
Vaishampayana said,
The inflamed Jayadratha advanced on Draupadi.
With eyes wide and flaring nostrils, Draupadi screamed twice, ‘do not touch me!’
24.
Jayadratha grabbed Draupadi by her hair and robe.
Draupadi threw Jayadratha off once with a vicious eye poke.
25.
Jayadratha forcefully dragged Draupadi by her heels.
Jayadratha dragged Draupadi onto his chariot then rolled his wheels.
26.
Dhaumya said,
‘Draupadi is not yours to steal!
Jayadratha, when did you defeat her husbands on the battlefield?
27.
You’ll reap what you sow!
Taking off with Yudhishthira’s wife is a low blow.’
28.
Jayadratha took Draupadi by force.
Dhaumya watched and marked their course.
Notes
[1] Vaishyampayana, ibid.
[4] Draupadi is married to five husbands.
Draupadi's husbands are 'brothers', though they have five different fathers and two mothers.
Pandu's five sons are Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.
[7] Vishnu is one of the three principal Hindu deities. (The other two are Shiva and Brahma).
Jishnu is Arjuna.
[10] Krishnaa is Draupadi.
[26] Dhaumya is one of the sages that travel with the Pandavas wherever they roam.
Translation Notes
