story - Draupadi calling Lord Krishna's name

[Mallikarjun Neraki]

In Mahabharata we find case of the endeavour to disrobe Draupadī.

This story about Draupadi is famous as example showing her great devotion and surrender to Krishna at time of helpless situation.

In a gamble of playing of dice Maharaja Yudishtira lose everything.

Pandavas lost there kingdom and even there wife Draupadi.

So evil Duhshasana dragged Draupadi into the Kuru assembly with desire to publicly insult her.

She was wearing only a single peace of cloth. Her hair was unbound.

In front of the whole Kuru assembly, Duhshasana attempted to pull off her sari. It is greatest disgrace for women in Vedic culture.

Draupadi at first tried to protect herself. But she was week women in comparison with strong warrior Duhshasan.

She trayed to call Drona, Bhisma all other generals and respectable persons for help.

But being dependent from Duryodayna they all stood very silent.

Then finally in her desperate situation she remembered her beloved Lord Krishna.

She rised her hands and prayed calling out Krishna with his dear holy names.

Draupadī’s prayer is found in Mahābhārata as follows:

govinda dvārakāvāsin kṛṣṇa gopī-jana-priya
kauravaiḥ paribhūtāṁ māṁ kiṁ na jānāsi keśava
he nātha he ramānātha vrajanāthārti-nāśana
kairavārṇava-bhagnāṁ mām uddharasva janārdana
kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa mahāyogin viśvātman viśva-bhāvana
prapannāṁ pāhi govinda kuru-madhye ’vasīdatīm
(Mahābhārata: Sabhā-parva, 67.82–3)

“O Govinda! O resident of Dvārakā! O Kṛṣṇa! O friend of the gopīs! Do You not know I am being humiliated by the Kauravas. O Lord! O Lord of Lakṣmī! O Lord of Vraja! O destroyer of affliction! Save me! I am drowning in the ocean of the Kauravas! O Janārdan! O Kṛṣṇa! O Kṛṣṇa! O best of yogīs! O soul of the world! O origin of the world! Please protect this surrendered soul, O Govinda! I am sinking in the midst of the Kurus!

When Krishna heard her piteous cries, He immediately appeared and supplied her with unlimited cloth until Duhshasana was exhausted by his attempt to disrobe her. Finally he give up his attempt.

Later when Draupadi meet Krishna she asked him why you didn’t immediately protect me?

Krishna reply to her, first you depended on your own strength you tryed to keep your sari.

So I thought let her be protected by her own strength.

After you called Drona, Bhisma all other generals.

So I thought let them all help.

But when you call me I came to help. Therefore Draupadi I didn’t come to help you immediately!

Reflections on the story:

Sooner or later we will all find ourself in some difficult situation as Draupadi has. It is nature of this world nobody life is easy.

But in difficult situations we are tested. To who will we turn for help.

Are we going to relay on our money, bodily power or strength.

Until we turn to all this things ultimately we will not get full help and support and finally we will al be defeated.

Only when we take full shelter in God by chanting his names, full protection will be given to as by God.

The scriptures explain that one who remembers Krishna or utters His holy name is immediately protected and freed from all sins
Devotee who has wholeheartedly surrendered his life to Krishna will have full protection always.

But lets call name of Krishna now when we are in good standing and power not waiting for difficult times.

Great devotee and King Kulasekhara composed of poems called the Mukundamala story in which he sing one verse in particular:

krsna tvadiya-pada-pankaja-panjarantam
adyaiva me visatu manasa-raja-hamsah
prana-prayana-samaye kapha-vata-pittaih
kanthavarodhana-vidhau smaranam kutas te

“O Lord Krsna, at this moment let the royal swan of my mind enter the tangled stems of the lotus of Your feet. How will it be possible for me to remember You and chant your holy names at the time of death, when my throat will be choked up with mucus bile and air?”