Reading Notes: Mahabharata B
Public Domain Edition: Mahabarata
Author sources: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
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In this section of Mahabharata, we are given stories regarding Nalayni and her future existence as Draupadi. In Vyasa’s account it explains that Nalayani was happy with a man, and lived a content life as expected to in a happy marriage. Her husband was Maudgalya, and it explains he was a rishi— a well-known intellectual. Maudgalya decided that instead of having physical intimacy with Nalayani, he would devote his desire for religion and meditation. As a result, she was very angry and felt abandoned. This level of retaliation emphasizes to the reader how instead of love, she most likely was with the man for lust instead. Why was such a religion man with Nalayani?
In retaliation to her sense of isolation, dissatisfaction, and loneliness, Nalayani prays to Shankara, a God. The story dictates her repetitive sentences saying, “Give me a husband,” five times. This use of quotations exemplified the power of this prayer. To me, I found it strange, as it almost seemed like she was demanding a man for her. Shabkara answered her prayers. In fact, the God gave her exactly what she wanted, exactly like she said it: five husbands. Shabkara told her that she would be born again, and she would have all five husbands, which according to the story was considered the socially undesirable action of prostitution. The result of Nalayani’s greed was karma.
My only question on this resolution was regarding Nalayani’s reaction. If she was so desperate for affection and sexual satisfaction, then why is she so disgusted when it seems she will in some ways, get what she wants?And the moral of this story, episode 28, for the readers? You should be happy with what you are given in this life, and you should not ask for any more.Flash forward to episode 30, and we see the unique dynamic of a woman having five husbands play out in Draupadi’s life. The have rules for each other to uphold to make the unconventional relationships and marriage work.
Author sources: Arnold, Besant, Devee, Dutt, Ganguli, Kincaid, Macfie, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Seeger, and Tagore.
Click!
Swayamvara, Wikimedia
In this section of Mahabharata, we are given stories regarding Nalayni and her future existence as Draupadi. In Vyasa’s account it explains that Nalayani was happy with a man, and lived a content life as expected to in a happy marriage. Her husband was Maudgalya, and it explains he was a rishi— a well-known intellectual. Maudgalya decided that instead of having physical intimacy with Nalayani, he would devote his desire for religion and meditation. As a result, she was very angry and felt abandoned. This level of retaliation emphasizes to the reader how instead of love, she most likely was with the man for lust instead. Why was such a religion man with Nalayani?
In retaliation to her sense of isolation, dissatisfaction, and loneliness, Nalayani prays to Shankara, a God. The story dictates her repetitive sentences saying, “Give me a husband,” five times. This use of quotations exemplified the power of this prayer. To me, I found it strange, as it almost seemed like she was demanding a man for her. Shabkara answered her prayers. In fact, the God gave her exactly what she wanted, exactly like she said it: five husbands. Shabkara told her that she would be born again, and she would have all five husbands, which according to the story was considered the socially undesirable action of prostitution. The result of Nalayani’s greed was karma.
My only question on this resolution was regarding Nalayani’s reaction. If she was so desperate for affection and sexual satisfaction, then why is she so disgusted when it seems she will in some ways, get what she wants?And the moral of this story, episode 28, for the readers? You should be happy with what you are given in this life, and you should not ask for any more.Flash forward to episode 30, and we see the unique dynamic of a woman having five husbands play out in Draupadi’s life. The have rules for each other to uphold to make the unconventional relationships and marriage work.
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