Datta Maata 220: Why did Draupadi become Pancāli?

Why did Draupadi become Pancāli? We remember several stories and incidents when we listen to the word 'Pancāli'. Let us discuss about it later. There is a story especially for the name itself.

Ramayana and Mahabharata are like two eyes to India. Just like we cannot live without the two eyes, we cannot live without these holy books. Our elders say that a Manushya (Man) can become Madhava (God) if he sees the world through these eyes (Ramayana and Mahabharata). Studying these books is different and understanding them is different. Also, implementing that which is understood is different. Why are we saying so? When we read Ramayana and Mahabharata, we get innumerable doubts. It is needless to say about Mahabharata. If we do not comprehend it properly, Mahabharata will be full of doubts. Even scholars also have a very common doubt - How did Draupadi devi become Pancāli?

To understand about the reason behind this, we must read Markandeya Purāna. Vyāsa has not only clarified some doubts in Mahabharata itself but also has given the clarification in some other books too. Why did Draupadi become Pancāli? This doubt cropped up even in the mind of sage Jaimini, the main disciple of Vyāsa. He prayed the birds of dharma to clarify his doubts. They said, "The son of Tvastru Prajāpati, Vishwaroopa was doing penance with Sīrshāsana, a wonderful Yogic posture. In that inverted posture, he had done penance for several hundreds of years. Indra got scared and killed him. As a result, Indra was trapped in the sin of Brahmahatya (killing Brahma). As a result, Indra lost his radiance. His radiance entered the deity of dharma. The news of Indra killing Trishira reached Tvasta Prajāpati. He became furious with rage. He then plucked a bunch of his hair strands, took an oath that Indra would realize his strength and offered it to the Fire God as Hōma. From that fire place, a very fierce demon named Vruthra took birth. He used to grow in height everyday by a measure which is equivalent to the trajectory of an arrow's travel. Indra became apprehensive that Vruthra was born only to kill him. He had then sent the Saptarshis (seven sages) to arrive at mutual consent. They made both Vruthrasura and Indra meet. However, Indra, breaking his oath killed Vruthrasura. Then once again, Indra acquired the sin of Brahmahatya. Then, his deity of strength reached the Lord of Wind leaving him. From that moment onwards, Indra became very weak.

In another instant, Indra took the guise of sage Gautama and reached Ahalya. Then, he lost his power of radiance. Indra's form and beauty approached the Ashwini devatas. In this manner, Indra is already devoid of radiance, strength, form and beauty. Now, even the deity of dharma left Indra and approached Yama, the king of death. The demons who understood that there is no more strength in Indra, took birth on Earth in a royal family with the desire of revolting against heaven. Unable to bear their burden, mother Earth prayed Indra to protect her. Then, upon the order of Indra, all the demigods took birth on Earth. Yama, the Lord of Death who had taken the radiance of dharma from Indra now placed it in the womb of Kunti. With a form of dharma, Yudhistira was born. Vāyu, the Wind God gave Indra's strength in him to Kunti. With the strength and radiance, Bhima was born. Indra who had radiance of wealth with himself blessed Kunti. With this, Arjuna was born. The Ashwini devatas who had taken the form and beauty of Indra placed it in the womb of Mādri. Then, Nakula and Sahadēva were born. In this manner, Indra himself was born with five different forms. At that time, Sachi Devi was born as the daughter of Drupada. Hence, she became Draupadi. Since, there is Indra's power in all the five of them, it means that she is the wife of Indra alone, even though it appeared as though she is the wife of five persons. Let us remember this.

Jaya Guru Datta! Sri Guru datta!