Extra Credit Reading Notes: The Palace of Illusions, Part A
Image Source: Draupadi and Sudheshna
I have started reading The Palace of Illusions. It is a take on Mahabharata through Draupadi's eyes. I am really enjoying the book so far, even though I just started. Here are my notes so far-
Reading Notes Part A:
- Draupadi is a dark woman, like her best friend Krishna, in the book. I don't know why in her paintings, she is shown to have a lighter color.
- Draupadi is very close to her brother Dhrishtadyumna.
- Her father did not really want her, but he treated her like a princess once she was there and gave her luxuries.
- Her father still prefers her brother over her.
- Draupadi likes to think she is special and likes to hear stories about her birth again and again.
- She has a dai-maa that takes care of her.
- Draupadi and Dhri were one by one reciting Drona-Drupada's story, and Dhri seems jealous of Arjuna.
- Drona called Draupadi & Dhri "son" and "daughter!"
- The book also says that Drona looked exactly like Drupada.
- Draupadi used to take lessons with Dhri.
- Sulochana (one of Drupada's wives) slapped Draupadi.
- People seemed to be scared of Draupadi (maybe because of the prophecy?)
- Draupadi liked to eavesdrop.
- She went to a sage to know about the future. He told her that she'll become the queen of queens but she'll also cause the death of her sons and her brothers. He also told her that she'll marry five men.
- Here's one very interesting quote I found- "Three dangerous moments will come to you. The first will be just before your wedding: at that time, hold back your question. The second will be when your husbands are at the height of their power: at that time, hold back your laughter. The third will be when you're shamed as you'd never imagined possible: at that time, hold back your curse. Maybe it will mitigate the catastrophes to come.”
- This sadhu baba was Vyasa writing Mahabharata. Draupadi all saw Ganesha.
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