"A woman who married five men! How can she be considered pure?" Ang Raj Karna's voice rang across the assembly hall. It's been years since those words had been uttered, yet the scar remained in Drupada Kanya's heart. The Mahabharata explored the remorse of the Pandava brothers when they realized the identity of their eldest brother, but what was Draupadi's reaction? What if Queen Draupadi was torn between the respect she was to have for her brother-in-law and hurt caused by the man who had voiced that insult against her in the Kuru hall years ago?

Read on to explore the emotional turmoil of a mother who lost all her children in war, and the unanticipated turn of events that occur as the daughter of a man who once insulted her becomes a part of her family. Will the desire to harbour a motherly affection again, or even something more, overcome the mixed emotions she currently faces?

Notes/Terms to Understand Chapter 2 of DaanveerPutri (Draupadi's Sakhi)

*Please feel free to refer back to Chapter 1 Notes (Background of Mahabharata in Context to DaanveerPutri) for further clarifications!

*Draupadi was the common wife of the five Pandavas. She was the Chakravarthini (Empress) and Yudhisthira was known as Chakravarthi (Emperor). The reason for this type of marriage consists of a series of complicated reasons and issues, which will not affect one's understanding of my story, so I will not be getting into the details. It is important to note that Draupadi and the Pandavas are righteous by nature, and this marriage played a key role in Draupadi getting insulted in the Hastinapura (Kuru) hall.

*In the Hastinapura assembly hall (will be referred to as 'Kuru assembly hall' in the story) years before the war, the Pandavas were cheated in a game of dice by the Kauravas – resulting in them losing their kingdom, wealth and self-rights. Queen Draupadi was addressed as a maid and was severely humiliated by the Kauravas, who attempted to disrobe her. Anga Raj Karna (friend of Duryodhana) had also contributed to the insult Draupadi faced by, saying she was an impure woman, as she had married five men.

*Post the incident in the Kuru Assembly hall – Krishna spoke to an utterly devasted Draupadi and explained to her the importance of forgivingness. He also advised her that a war was inevitable, but the focus of the war outcome should be to re-establish dharma and not be based on self-revenge.

*Krishna – also referred to as 'Vasudeva Krishna,' 'Madhava' (by Arjuna and Mitra), 'Govinda' and 'Sakha' (by Draupadi). He has many other names which may possibly be mentioned in upcoming chapters!

*Shriman Balarama – elder brother of Krishna and Subhadra

*Subhadra - dear younger sister of Vasudeva Krishna and Balarama, and loving wife of Arjuna

*Abhimanyu - the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, who died a warrior's death in the battle. Draupadi considered him her own son.

*Rajamata Kunti – the mother of the Pandavas and Karna. Wife of Maharaja Pandu (deceased), and Maternal Aunt of Krishna, Balarama and Subhadra

*Draupadi's five sons from the Pandavas:

-Prativindhya (son of Yudhisthira)

-Sutasoma (son of Bheema)

-Shrutakarma (son of Arjuna)

-Satanika (son of Nakula)

-Shrutasena (son of Sahadeva)

Other names of Draupadi used in the story:

-Drupada Kanya (daughter of King Drupada who reigns the kingdom of Panchala)

-Chakravarthini Draupadi (Empress)

-Panchali or Panchala Kumari (Princess of Panchala Kingdom)

-Yajnaseni (the one born from the sacrificial fire)

Terms to Understand:

*Aarya – means 'noble one' and also used by Indian women in the early times to refer to their husbands

*Laddoo – a sweet dessert

*Sakha – friend (male)

*Sakhi – friend (female)

*Partha – another name for Arjuna meaning Pritha's son (Kunti's son). This is how Krishna addresses Arjuna

*Swayamvara – an ancient Indian practice/ceremony where the soon to be bride chooses a husband among a list of potential suitors who attend the ceremony

I hope you are all looking forward to reading the second chapter of DaanveerPutri - Draupadi's Sakhi! This chapter will be split into two parts. Part 1 of the chapter will be published tomorrow! Thank you for all your support, and please do comment your thoughts regarding the synopsis for this chapter :)