Introduction

Ramayana and Mahabharata brought us many wonderful and amazing female characters. However, Draupadi was the female heroine that caught my attention the most.

In this Storybook, we will explore the important events that took place throughout her life. The storybook will be written as a biography of Draupadi based on the comic book Draupadi: Fire-Born Princess by Saraswathi Nagpal. We will explore the times she was strong and fierce and the times she was vulnerable and afraid. I will be retelling her life story through my own perspective. I hope readers will be able to see how I view her as they read through the story.

Draupadi was no ordinary woman or human. She had no childhood because she was born in the form of an adult. King Drupada, performed a fire-sacrifice (yagya) in order to bet a son to pursue revenge. Through that fire-sacrifice Draupadi was born. Hence where she was nicknamed as the fire princess.

In my opinion, Draupadi is one of the key figures of Mahabharata. She was a revolutionist of her time. Draupadi is one of the few women of Indian Epics that was married to more than one man at the same time. She became the wife to the five Pandava brothers. There are different versions in literature as to why this came about. Some authors say that it was because she prayed to Lord Shiva in her previous life for a husband that possessed five great qualities. Therefore, Lord Shiva blessed her with five husbands that each possessed one of the qualities. Others say it was a curse.

She was strong-willed, fearless, outspoken, fought for her rights, always spoke her feelings and mind. She went through many hardships in her life. Some that were so horrible that many would not be able to stand strong after its occurrence. Even though she was a fierce woman, she was still vulnerable and suffered in the hands of men. One those events was when when she was raped and no one stood with her.

She condemned Kings Dhritarashtra and King Virata for failing to protect women. In a time period where men ruled and women were looked on as second-class citizens with just pretty faces, Draupadi stood against that patriarchy. Draupadi, believed there was rules and standards men should follow. There were many times that men failed her and in return she suffered greatly. Therefore, she became angered when they failed to follow standard rules and intensely protested it.

She was a role model to other women of her time and continues to be one today. I view her as a feminist of Indian Epics. Of course, no matter how strong she was, she also had sufferings. Her life was not an easy one. She lived through many bad life events. However, I think that is what makes her so remarkable. No matter how horrible an experience would be she never gave up and always got back up and stood stronger.

There is so much more to say about her but for that, you shall explore in the story.

Come along with me on this journey as we meet the amazing Draupadi, the fire princess.