TO WHOM SHALL I TURN, IF NOT TO THEE

September 30, 2003

Baba said the whole story in few words, "Unless you have given it before, you do

not get it now" Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.35.

How profoundly moving is the story of Draupadi’s plight in the court of Duryodhana!

Pulled by her hair by Dushasan who was eager to strip her naked, Draupadi turned

to the five Pandava brothers who hung their heads in shame. They felt utterly

helpless for they were now the slaves of Duryodhana. They could do nothing.

Even Bhima who was second to noen in strength, now felt powerless to help her.

Then Draupadi turned to the Lord sri Krishna, "But for thee, who is there who

will come to my rescue at this time of dire need?" she cried out in anguish.

It is said, Shri Krishna appeared to her and said, "Draupadi, tell me! Tell me

if at any point of time you have given a single piece of cloth to someone in

need. If you have done so, then through that tiny piece of cloth, i shall be

able to save you, but I must have a starting point somewhere!"

As a queen, countless must have been the instances when draupadi had given away

gifts of all kinds, including bales and bales of cloth. But at this crucial

moment, all she could recall was a simple and spontaneous act of generosity.

One day, she remembered, she was standing on the river bank as a sanyasin was

taking his bath. Suddenly, a powerful current of water swept away the single

loin cloth in which the sanyasin was clad leaving him naked.

She saw and understood the plight of the sanyasin. Without a moment’s

hesitation, she tore a piece out of her own saree and threw it to the sanyasin

so that he could cover himself with it and come out of the waters.

This was all that Sri Krishna needed to save the honour of Draupadi. Out of that

piece of cloth, He drew out bales after bales of material, till Dushasan fell to

the ground, exhausted and defeated.

(Courtesy: J.P. Vaswani in East and West Series – August 2003)

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