Draupadi was thrilled to finally have garlic for her wedding to say the least. "Father," Draupadi said to her father, Drupada, " I am so grateful for the trouble you went through."
Drupada was quick to respond, "No problem at all, anything for my beloved daughter." The two hugged and soaked in the bliss of the moment. To Drupada's dismay the enjoyment did not last very long.
"Father," Druapadi interjected. Drupada's face filled with dread. " I hate to sound unappreciative of everything you and Karna have done thus far, but I still need something else." Drupada bit his tongue, but kindly replied, "Anything for my wonderful daughter." Druapadi did not take but a second to make another demand. "Father my horse just died, and he was the most wonderful, beautiful mare that I had ever owned and I refuse to get married if the horse is not there!"
Drupada recoiled in shock, the request was strange as he had no experience with bringing the dead back to life. Drupada pondered for some time, trying to come up with an appropriate response for Druapadi. He knew that this horse was the deal breaker for the wedding so he was left with only one option. "Of course your favorite horse will be!"
"Really father? You are so great!" shrieked Draupadi. Drupada at this point was already feeling dry sweat as his mind raced to come with a solution to this issue. Draupadi immediately dismissed herself as to give her father no time to change his mind. This was the right move for Draupadi as Drupada really was perplexed with what just came out of his mouth. Drupada took the next few days to brainstorm a possible solution to this problem. He really toyed with the idea of getting a horse and painting it exactly like the dead one. Even then this plan had flaws as the mannerisms cannot be painted on a horse. Drupada eventually conceded to his own mind's abilities and decided to ask a Brahman for help. Conveniently the Brahman was Brahmadatta, but this was unknown to Drupada.
Drupada knocked twice on the door of Brahmadatta, and was told to enter. Upon entering the smell was immediate to Drupada, mustard. This was strange to him, but it did not delay his questions. "Oh Brahman, I have made a risky promise to my daughter and am dire need of your guidance." Brahmadatta took but a second to respond. "I know why you come, I oversaw the burial of that great horse. I can only imagine you are here because you made a foolish promise about it." This was a slap to the face for Drupada, as he was king and not accustomed to being talked down on, but he knew the Brahman was right. "You are very wise, and I may be foolish, but is there any way to bring the horse back?"
Brahmadatta was quick to reply. "Bring me mustard seeds from a home that has not see death, and I will be able to grant the horse life again." Drupada using the same tactics as his daughter immediately thanked the man and left before he could change his mind.
Drupada now started his way to outskirts of town where the farmers lived and grew mustard seeds. The first house he came upon was shanty and housed five. The family did indeed grow mustard seeds, but had just seen the death of a son from a battle waged by the Drupada himself. Drupada went to the next house and was received with similar information, an aunt had died of disease a month ago. Still not discouraged at this point he headed to another house. He was met by a woman in tears, her husband had just fallen of their roof and died. Drupada showed no compassion for the woman and went to the next home. This family had lost a grandparent thirty years ago. Drupada still was not ready to admit defeat and went to twenty more houses, but was met with similar tales. Drupada then decided to make his way back to the Brahman to report his findings.
"Oh Brahman, for I have talked to nearly thirty families and am unable to find one that has not experienced death!" Brahmadatta responded quickly, "Exactly. Death is final and is only natural." Drupada felt insulted again, but knew the Brahman was right once again and left to go tell his daughter the news.
Authors Note: A couple of weeks ago I read some Jatakas and one of them really stood out to me. It was about a woman with one son who had just died. She was overcome with tremendous grief and was unsure what she was supposed to do without him. She ventured to a Brahman was instructed to find mustard seed from a house that had not had a death, she ultimately was met with the same fate. All the houses had at least one death. Since my portfolio is about spices and flowers this story stood out that much more. This rendition seemed to be a perfect fit for my portfolio since it had a spice and pertained to a Swayamvara. The story also has the same moral, but in this case instead of a child dying it is a horse that belongs to Draupadi. Also having the Brahman be Brahmadatta was a nod to the Jatakas as well as the stories did have different incarnations of him in them. Brahmadatta was also a good fit for this story as he is known for his wisdom even when it is harsh to tell, perhaps in the future I could expand more on Brahmadatta.
Image Citation: Horse, Wikicommons