1 The Rejection

As the flames of the fire rose as high as six feet, you could see the structure of a human body coming out of the fire. It was Dhristadhyumn the son of Drupad gifted by the gods. As Drupad saw him come out from the fire he was overwhelmed and his joy knew no bounds.

"Welcome my son, welcome! It was you whom I was waiting for" said a happy Drupad. "Pranipat Maharaj" said Dhri "Not Maharaj my dear, call me father as you are my son now" replied Drupad. Then he announced that " This son of mine has come on this earth to slay Drona and I wish him good luck to succeed in his task" taking a pause again he said" Therefore I shall name him Dhristadhyumn, his name means one who is courageous and splendorous".Then after some time the flames of fire again rose to six feet but this time it was a woman, then slowly emerged a very beautiful woman who everyone stared at spell bound. She was the most beautiful woman they had ever seen. She walked towards Drupad and greeted him " Pranipat father" she said " I have come on this earth as your daughter and seek your blessings.

"How did gods give me a daughter, I had only asked for a son?" Drupad screamed at the top of his voice. Just then a heavenly voice said "Oh drupad, accept this daughter, daughter of fire himself, she is as pure as fire, this is a gift for the penance done by you." " How can I accept another daughter when I already have one who calms to kill Bhishma himself but is brought done in just one blow of a mere prince " Drupad said referring to Shikhandini. The heavenly voice replied "You have to accept this woman who is born to destroy all evil from this earth and bring back rightness and dharma on this Earth, name her Draupadi as she is your daughter and the princess of Panchal" saying this the voice vanished.

"So, you a mere woman is destined to change the course of history" Drupad said mockingly. " And don't call me father, call me Maharaj" saying this Drupad went away holding his son's hand towards the palace.

Draupadi was left shocked at all this, how could he leave her all alone like this. Was he not her father, did he not have the responsibility of taking care for her. What would she do all alone over here? Who would help her settle in? Just then a voice from behind startled her "Draupadi" she heard a woman's voice. She turned around to see a woman dressed in an Armour and angavastra "I am Shikhandini, Maharaj Drupad's eldest daughter, I take you to the palace and show you everything come with me". Draupadi was happy for the first time after her birth, at least someone cared for her.

As they walked through the palace Shikhandini led her to her chamber and told her about everything. She was amazed to see Draupadi asking her about everything. When they went near the mirror Draupadi asked " Who is that girl looking so beautiful standing there in the corner" Shikhandini laughed a little and said "It is you my dear". " How can it be me I am standing here with you and that girl is standing there?" questioned Draupadi " It is a mirror it reflects what it sees and it is never wrong" Shikhandini said, Draupadi was not satisfied but decided not to question further. Then Shikhandini ordered the maids to dress me in the royal clothes and jewelry. After dressing up I again looked at the mirror now I looked more beautifier in these clothes.

After that both of us went to join the dinner with everyone on the table. Father looked at me with eyes full of hate, when Dhri saw he he gave a little smile to show that he had accepted me as a sister, no matter what father thought about me. I was happy that at least I have the support of my siblings and they would not treat me different from them. When I sat down Shikhandini told me about all my mothers and other sibling which included Satyajit, Kumar, Vrika, Panchalya, Suratha, Shatrunjaya, and Janamejaya, Uttamaujas and Yudhamanyu all of them were elder than me of course I was born just now a few minutes ago.