Conversation between Draupadi and Satyabhama

While the great Markandeya, Narada, Krishna and the Pandavas were sitting and talking, Draupadi and Satyabhama entered the hermitage. They spent time happily laughing. Seeing each other after a long time, they both talked to each other about the Kurus and the Yadus, telling strange stories. Then the beautiful Satyabhama, Krishna’s beloved queen and daughter of Satrajita, asked Draupadi in private:

“Draupadi! Through what mannerisms have you been ruling over the Pandavas, who are handsome heroes as the Lokapalas? How is it that they behave as if under your control? How is it that they don’t get angry at all with you? How is it that the handsome Pandavas are always under your spell? They keep looking at your face all the time, thinking “what will she say to me?” For this, are you doing any Vrata, Tapas, Mantrasnana, medicine or the power of knowledge or herbs or are there any Japa-Homa for this? Tell me that secret of intercourse which will successfully keep Krishna always under my control.” Saying this, Satyabhama fell silent.

Then the Pativrata Draupadi answered her thus: “Satya! You are asking me about the bad women! How can I ask you to take the wicked path?  It is not appropriate for you, the intelligent and beloved queen of Krishna, to continue this line of questioning or to have suspicion on what I do. The moment the husband comes to know that his wife is using certain Mantra or herb, he will fear her as if she is a serpent living in the bedroom. How will he be at peace if he is anxious and how will be happy if he is not at peace? The husband will never come under the control of his wife if she uses Mantras. We have heard that the enemies in the form of women spread greatly painful diseases. Desiring to kill them, they introduce poison through traditional gifts. The man usually takes it under his tongue or on his skin, and immediately dies. Sometimes, the women cause wound and discharge in the penis, loss of manhood, weakness, and blindness or loss of hearing. These wicked women who use wicked means also cause wounds to their husbands. But, a wife should never indulge in harming her own husband. I will tell you the truth about how I behave towards the Pandavas. Listen.

Every day I serve the Pandavas, along with their other wives, always setting aside pride, desire and anger. I behave according to my husbands’ minds without feeling jealousy, without feeling that it is below me to do any of their work, and feeling the love towards them in my heart. I serve the great warriors Pandavas, full of energy as Agni or Surya or Soma, always worrying if I have behaved badly, or if I am sitting properly, or standing properly, or walking properly, and if my intentions are seen to them even through my eyes. I don’t fancy other men even if they are Gods, humans, Gandharvas or well decorated rich person or handsome or young. I don’t eat, bathe or sleep until my husbands and even the servants don’t eat, bathe or sleep. When my husbands return home from out, I get up and greet them with seats and water. I keep my kitchen clean and provide timely meals. I keep all the things in the house well-arranged and clean. I never speak insults in anger and follow the bad women. I do everything that needs to be done, leaving aside any feelings of laziness. I don’t laugh without any reason. I will not stand for a long time either at the door, in the fields or in the gardens. I always avoid the places that make them angry, or make them laugh out loud. I am always engaged in the service of my husbands. I totally dislike being without my husbands. In case my husbands have to go out for family business, I remain in Vrata, rejecting all flowers and perfumes. I reject everything that my husbands don’t drink, eat and enjoy. Dressed as I was instructed, I always try for their love and well-being. As my mother-in-law had told me earlier, I follow tirelessly day and night, the Bhiksha, Bali, Shraddha, Charu in Parvas, hospitality to the virtuous and all other things that I know. I keeping serving my good, soft, truthful and righteous husbands thinking when will they get angry like the poisonous snakes.

According to me, living under the protection of husband is the eternal Dharma for a woman. There is no God other than him. There is no refuge other than him. When this is so, how can she behave unlovingly towards him? I never outdo my husbands in sleeping, eating, or in dressing up. I never criticize my mother-in-law. My husbands are in my hold because of my constant demeanor, the way I sit and stand and my service to the elderly. I alone used to take care of Kunti, the mother of these heroes, her bathing, clothing and meal services. I never out do her in clothing, ornaments and eating. I never hurt her.

Earlier, 8000 Brahmins used to eat in golden plats daily in Yudhishthira’s palace. 80,000 married Snatakas used to eat. To each of them, Yudhishthira had given 30 women servants. Besides, they used to take pure food in golden vessels, to feed 10,000 ascetic Yatis. I used to worship all those Brahmins with drinks, clothes and meals. I used to know the names, their faces, what they used to eat and wear, and what they were doing – of 100,000 dancing maids, of the great Yudhishthira – who used to shine in their armlets and other golden ornaments. These 100,000 maids used to serve food to the guests day and night, holding golden vessels. While Yudhishthira was in Indraprastha, 100,000 horses and 10,000 elephants used to follow him. I used to determine their numbers and I used to listen to their complaints. I used to know what every servant, cowherd and soldiers in the palace were doing and not doing. Among the successful Pandavas, I alone used to know the king’s total wealth, income and expenditure.

Putting all the weight of family problems on me, they all are busy in earning my favors. Keeping their interest in mind, I have been taking, day and night, the burden of these responsibilities, sacrificing all the happiness. It is difficult to bear these burdens if you are not virtuous. While my husbands are engaged in following the Dharma, I alone make sure that their treasury is full like the great oceans of Varuna. Days and nights seem equal to me who is worshipping my husbands day and night, ignoring hunger and thirst. I am the first one to get up in the morning and the last one to sleep in the night. Satya! Because I always behave like this, they are attracted to me. I know of only the great things I do towards my husbands. I don’t know what the bad women do, and I don’t even want to know that.”

Listening to these words full of Dharma, Satya honored the righteous Krishna Panchali and said: “Panchali! Please pardon my mistake. Don’t these aimless small talks happen between friends?”

Then Draupadi said again: “I will tell you the blemish less ways of holding your husband’s mind. Friend! If you behave like this, you can keep your husband away from other lovers. Satya!  There is not God equal to husband in all the worlds and among all the Gods. If he is pleased, all desires are fulfilled. If he is angry, it is like death. Through him we get children, different enjoyments, bed, seat, wonderful sights, clothing, garlands, perfumes, heaven and fame. Here, comfort does not come out of comfort. A virtuous woman gets happiness through sorrow. Therefore, worship Krishna with greatness of heart. Always serve him with love. He will embrace you with full desire thinking that he is your most loved one, if you provide him with tasty food, beautiful garlands, and the various perfumes. As soon as you hear his voice at the door, get up and stand in the middle of your home. Seeing him enter, quickly worship him with a seat and wash his feet. When he is there, send out all your maid servants, and you yourself do everything for him. Satya! Then Krishna will understand your love. He will think that she has total love for me.

Whatever your husbands tells you, even if it is not a secret, keep it a secret. Krishna’s other wives may tell him something that will make him love you less. Using different means, invite your husband’s friends, followers and well-wishers for meals. Keep out his enemies, those belong to the other party and those who are not his well-wishers. In case your husband commits a mistake unknowingly, control your anger and be silent. Pradyumna and Samba both are your sons. Don’t treat them differently. Make friends with virtuous women, born in good families and those who are not wicked. Keep your distance from thieves, the wicked, greedy, those who eat a lot, those who have false pride and those who praise themselves. This is the secret of married life, that will give the heavenly happiness and keeps away the enemies. Wear the costly garlands, jewels and sacred perfumes and worship your husband.”

While Draupadi and Satyabhama were conversing like this inside the hermitage, Krishna, who was talking to Markandeya, the other Brahmins and the Pandavas, took leave from them. Ready to board his chariot, Krishna called Satyabhama. Then Satyabhama hugged the daughter of Drupada and with heart filled with love, said these words:

“Krishna! Don’t be anxious. Don’t worry. Don’t lose your sleep. This earth won by your husbands, who are like Gods, will be yours. The troubles will not last long for a well-behaved person like you with honorable traits. I have heard that you will definitely enjoy this earth, without rivals, with your husbands after the death of the trouble-makers. I have visions of this earth settling with Yudhishthira after taking the revenge for the envy and slaying the sons of Dhritarashtra. You will soon witness the Kuru women, who now proudly laugh at you, seeing you exiled in the forest. Krishna! Know that all those who behave badly when you are in sorrow will go Yama’s abode. Your sons – Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Arjuna’s Shrutakarma, Nakula’s Shatanika and Shrutasena, Sahadeva’s son born to you – all are skilled in weapons. Like Abhimanyu, they all very much like Dwaraka. Subhadra loves them as completely as you love them. Without any competition for their love, she does not worry much. Pradyumna’s mother also takes a good care of them. Krishna too supervises them, along with Bhanu and others. My father-in-law always takes care of their food and other needs. All Andhaka-Vrishnis, including Balarama, like them as much as they like Pradyumna.”

Saying these comforting, heart-felt affectionate words, Satyabhama decided to leave and went towards Krishna’s chariot. Krishna’s queen, beloved Satyabhama circumambulated Draupadi and boarded Krishna’s chariot. Smiling at and comforting Draupadi, Krishna went back with the swift horses.