Draupadi Swayamvara

October 20, 2013
Section: 1

Draupadi Swayamvara 

Hari Om!

Beginning prayers

• Breathing exercise, 3 times ॐ (OM) chanting,  Sahanaavavatu,  Meditation
• Daily Prayers - Karagre Vasathe,  Saraswathi Namastubhyam,  Brahmarpanam,  Shubham Karoti,  Karacharana Kritam
• Guru Stotram (Page 9 of My Prayers Book)  

Bhajan 

• Gauri Nandana Gajaanana
• Dashavatara Stotram(Page 117 of My Prayers Book - Shlokas 1-8)   

Gitaa chanting

• Bhagavad Gita 14th Chapter 1 - 8  shlokas

Story time

• Heroines of Mahabharata

Activity

• Discussion 

Ending prayers and pledge

•  Aarati and pledge 
• Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Purnamadah Purnamidam

Synopsis of the story:

Dhrishtadyumna wanted his daughter Draupadi to chose a husband. So she wanted to test to see who can shoot a fish which was on top of a pole. The men only had 5 arrows and a bow which they could use.The only people who could marry her were the princes and people in the high class. Many men tried to shoot but, first of all they couldn’t hold the bow. When Karna tried he could lift the bow but he wasn’t allowed to participate because he was in the lower class. When it was Arjuna’s turn he shot the fish and got Draupadi, and the Pandavas had to share her, upon Kunti's word.

Arjuna wanted to marry Subhadra, Krishna’s sister but Arjuna was scared because she was Krishna's sister. So he asked Krishna and Krishna gave him the permission. Arjuna took Subhadra away racing the chariot when she came out of the temple. Balarama was angry so he told Krishna to attack Arjuna, but Krishna said, he was the one who agreed to give Subhadra to Arjuna. Balarama calmed down and the brothers arranged for their marriage.

My Thoughts:

It's interesting to learn the customs that the society had in the past, in terms of choosing a boy or girl to get married. 

It seems in those days the Bride chose the Groom through various methods and competition. At at some point in time, we learnt that Kanya Shulkam came into existence. In this custom bride groom's parents used to pay money to the bride parents, and got her married to their son. Later on, it changed to DOWRY system due to more percentage of girls than boys, which in turn became a social evil.

Fortunately nowadays because of education among youth they are given freedom to choose their partners and getting married under the guidance of elders.

 

Hari Om,

Gowri B