Reading Notes: Sister Nivedita (The Challenge)
The Challenge
This story is about Yudhishthira when he is gambling against Sakuni, who was playing for Duryodhana. Yudhishthira keeps playing although he loses every time. He loses his jewels, expensive garments, his and his brother's freedom, and even his kingdom, but the very last thing he bets and loses is Draupadi. She comes and expresses that she cannot be won by a lowly man, so she asks for boons. She demands that Yudhishthira and his brothers receive their freedom again, and that all their personal possessions be returned. These boons are granted, but she refuses to ask for more because she believes that her husbands do not need anymore because they are already powerful enough to conquer the world if they would have it.
If I were to rewrite this story, I would change it to modern times, where Yudhishthira is constantly going to casinos and gambling, and Draupadi is becoming sick of it. Eventually, Draupadi decides that she can no longer stand his gambling habits, and leaves with their son while Yudhishthira is out. It would be a good lesson to not let material, worldly things take priority over family and friends.
This story is about Yudhishthira when he is gambling against Sakuni, who was playing for Duryodhana. Yudhishthira keeps playing although he loses every time. He loses his jewels, expensive garments, his and his brother's freedom, and even his kingdom, but the very last thing he bets and loses is Draupadi. She comes and expresses that she cannot be won by a lowly man, so she asks for boons. She demands that Yudhishthira and his brothers receive their freedom again, and that all their personal possessions be returned. These boons are granted, but she refuses to ask for more because she believes that her husbands do not need anymore because they are already powerful enough to conquer the world if they would have it.
If I were to rewrite this story, I would change it to modern times, where Yudhishthira is constantly going to casinos and gambling, and Draupadi is becoming sick of it. Eventually, Draupadi decides that she can no longer stand his gambling habits, and leaves with their son while Yudhishthira is out. It would be a good lesson to not let material, worldly things take priority over family and friends.
(Losing Draupadi, Quora)
Bibliography: The Challenge, by Sister Nivedita from Myths of the Hindu & Buddhists
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