Mahabharata storyImage Credit source: AI
Why Arjun Broke Draupadi Rule: Mahabharata is not just a story of war, but also a great book on dignity, religion and following rules. There are many such incidents related to Draupadi and the five Pandavas, which even today force people to think. One of these is the rule of living with Draupadi and Arjun’s self-acceptance of 12 years of exile for violating that rule. Let us know about the unique rule followed by Draupadi and the five Pandavas after their marriage, in which Draupadi stays with each Pandava only for 72 days in a year. And what was the reason due to which Arjun had to break that strict rule.
Rule of privacy and advice of Narad Muni
When Draupadi became the wife of the five Pandavas due to the unknowing orders given by Mother Kunti, Devarshi Narad gave a suggestion to the Pandavas to prevent any kind of discord between them. He gave the example of two demon brothers named Sunda and Upasunda, who were destroyed after fighting with each other over the same woman. After this, the Pandavas made a rule that Draupadi would spend time with only one brother at a time. The rule was that when Draupadi was alone with one brother, no other brother would enter there. If anyone breaks this rule, he will have to undergo a rigorous exile of 12 years as punishment.
Why did Arjun break the rules?
Once some thieves stole the cows of a poor Brahmin. The Brahmin reached Arjun calling for help. Being a Kshatriya, it was Arjun’s duty to help the Brahmin, but the problem was that all Arjun’s weapons were kept in Yudhishthir’s room at that time. Coincidentally, at that time the eldest Pandava Yudhishthir was alone with Draupadi. Arjun was faced with a religious dilemma. If he had entered the chamber, he would have had to face 12 years of exile. If he had not entered, his Kshatriya religion would have been tarnished due to his inability to protect a Brahmin. Arjuna, choosing benevolence and protection of dharma, deliberately entered the chamber and picked up his bow. He defeated the thieves and got the Brahmin’s cows back.
Yudhishthir’s apology and Arjun’s steadfastness
When Arjuna returned, Yudhishthira hugged him and said that he had done this for a noble cause, so he need not suffer punishment. Yudhishthir tried to forgive Arjuna, but Arjuna was firm on his word and rules. He said, “Brother, there should be no concession in matters of religion. And then Arjun voluntarily accepted 12 years of exile. During this 12 years of exile, Arjun met Ulupi, Chitrangada and Subhadra, whom he also married.
How many days did Draupadi stay with each Pandava?
There are different opinions in different mythological texts regarding how the time of each Pandava was divided with Draupadi.
72 day cycle
According to some interpretations of the Mahabharata, the division of time was extremely precise. It is said that Draupadi spent two months and 12 days (total 72 days) with each Pandava. According to this, a complete cycle of 360 days i.e. one year was completed with the five brothers.
differences in regional beliefs
It is popular in South Indian Mahabharata and folk tales that Draupadi lived with each Pandava brother for a year. When she completed her time with a brother, she would again undergo the ordeal or purification.
This story is a symbol of dignity and religion
This incident related to Draupadi and Pandavas is not just a story of a family rule, but it tells how much importance has been given to religion, rules and self-control in Mahabharata. Arjuna himself accepting the punishment is proof that for the Pandavas, rules were above the individual.
Also read: Where did Bhima and Hanuman ji meet, where Bajrangi broke his pride of being strong?
Disclaimer: The information given in this news is based on beliefs and mythological information. TV9 Bharatvarsha does not confirm this.