Draaupadi Role Model

The Hindu tradition conditioned the women of the epics to obey their husbands and to be chaste. If they didn’t follow the tradition they were considered as outcast. So, their dharma was to prove their chastity. Epic literary tradition portrayed great heroines like Draupadi, Shakuntala, Sita, etc. who underwent difficult trials and tribulations to prove their chastity. Among all of them Sita is always considered as a role model for Indian women. She is the heroine who is part and parcel of Indian hearts and lives even today. One can find her references in all the religious and domestic roles expected to be followed by women. In sharp contrast to her, one will find hardly any reference of Draupadi as a role model for women. She was and is still

Here any rebellious characteristic of Draupadi is not being reflected, but the clichéd reflection of her beauty and character isdescribed: “She possessed the most beautiful figure: none was her equal on earth” (Sutherland 64). One cannot see any trait of individuality in this description but a conventional appreciation of her physical beauty. It is only later in the epic that we see the reflection of individuality and unconventional temperament of Draupadi coming out. The major turn in Draupadi’s life and outlook was seen during the dicing game being played between Pandavas and Kauravas. Till now she was depicted as a stereotypical wife who was an epitome of traditional women. It was only during this scene her complex character wasmore fully developed which made her different from a passive wife and a woman. She was delineated as a strong and rebellious female who stood apart from other females. During the dicing match Yudhisthira (eldest brother of Pandavas) had put all his land, villages, properties, jewels etc. at