‘Are you nurturing your Draupadi?’

DRAUPADI

BOOM….suddenly she was there…out of the blue….DRAUPADI……the name hit me, nay shook me! And in that instant, I knew I had to change….

(IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ‘MAHABHARATHA,’  THEN THIS POST MIGHT NOT RESONATE)


On the occasion of International Women’s Day earlier this week, I was holding an open interactive session on ‘Infusing Positivity.’ I had an outline of the structure of the session, and although I have given many talks on this subject, this time it felt different. I felt unsettled. Overall, I was not happy with the flow. Something was missing.

After trying to find this missing piece the previous night, I gave up. Went to sleep hoping that I would have clarity the next morning. No luck. But then, barely 75 minutes before the session, I was jolted. Draupadi! This was the closest of a ‘Eureka’ moment I have ever had. And in the flash, I had found the anchor of my presentation. In fact, a lot more than the anchor, it was almost as if the essence of Draupadi pervaded my entire presence….and then she simply flowed…..

A few weeks ago, I had attended an intensive immersion into the Mahabharatha. Such was the intensity of this experience that I am still trying to figure out what hit me. One of my biggest learnings was a wonderful interpretation of the Draupadi archetype. The combination of Raghu (the lead facilitator) waxing in prose, combined with the amazingly graceful depiction by Bharatanatyam and Yoga teacher Jyotsna about Draupadi that wove a magical tapestry around me.

I learnt that Draupadi epitomizes the highest aspiration – the best version of ourselves! How? Why? – Well, in the infamous ‘vastraharan’ scene (when she is being disrobed in a gathering of men), it is her ability to connect with the highest form of herself (commonly depicted as Krishna) that allows her to tap into her infinite potential and thereby keeping her safe and protected. 




Draupadi is considered more evolved than any of her husbands who are often held up as the ultimate icons. Why? Because, even Arjun only got to see the highest self (the ‘vishwaroopam’ of Vishnu), whereas Draupadi, in that pivotal moment, actually experienced her highest self.

So, for the session on Women’s Day, Draupadi became the theme.  She is a wonderful metaphor for our highest self – an aspiration indeed. It was wonderful how this theme resonated with the 35 participants. What was further amazing was that one of the participants Sumi wrote the following day that she had been thinking about Draupadi and lo and behold – she came across a book ‘Palace of Illusions’ (which tells the Mahabharath from her perspective)!

So, a new phrase has emerged ‘Are you nurturing your Draupadi?’


Immense Gratitude!

Comments

  1. rajaniMarch 15, 2016 at 2:25 AM

    Just read Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. Draupadi's story. It's fantastic!!! Very well written

    ReplyDelete

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