International Journal of Gender & Women's Studies

Vyasa’s Draupadi: A Feminist Representation
Saptorshi Das

Abstract
In the Ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, Draupadi is the daughter of King Drupada of Panchala, who becomes the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura, Indraprastha and the Emperor of India at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes his Queen. In one of the earliest recorded protests against a male dominated world and society, Draupadi’s characteristic fight against injustice reflects one of the first acts of feminism – a fight for one’s rights; in this case, the right to avenge the wrongs inflicted on her. In this work she is exemplified as one of the earliest feminists, be it in terms of polyandry, regarded as a matter of censure by society, then and now, or in terms of her thirst for revenge. My paper celebrates both: the woman in Draupadi, and the feminist.

Full Text: PDF