Week 12 Reading Epified's Mahabharata Part D

Epified's Mahabharata Part D

Draupadi's Swayamvr
Source: Google Image

For this reading, I wanted to discuss Epified's version of Draupadi's Swayamvr. First, this version of the epic did not go into nearly as much detail about the swayamvr. I think that highlights how the parts that focus on women tend to get overlooked in many stories. For instance, in this version, it was Draupadi's ceremony, but the entire episode focused on the success of the Pandavas. It didn't mention how Draupadi felt at all or her opinion on the men. Actually, it focused more on her father's opinions than her own despite her being the one marrying this person. Second, this version followed a lot of the what the original version I read did. King Drupad held a swayamvr for his daughter, many warriors showed up in order to win her hand in marriage, and only the Pandavas, disguised as Brahmans, were able to excel at the king's request. This shocked the entire community because these men were supposed to be holy, priest, not warriors. This angered their cousins even more because his cousin couldn't fulfill the challenge. I really like this episode because I find it super easy to understand, and it inspires me to write a lot of other versions. I already did one version where Draupadi took control of her own life and defied her father by choosing all five brothers for a husband. Maybe for tomorrow's story, I can make a female warrior be the one to excel at the challenge, and she can be the one who is ends up marrying Draupadi. I think this would not only empower female characters, but it would allow LGBTQ representation in an Indian tale for once. If you haven't noticed, there is rarely (if at all) any characters who are attracted to the same sex. Most of the characters are heterosexual or asexual. If I allow Draupadi to fall inlove with a female warrior because she was the winner of her father's challenge. 

Bibliography: Epified's Mahabharata Episode 27 Draupadi's Swayamvr