The current series is the Myth buster series where we see some popular notions that are NOT from Vyasa Mahabharatha at all.
In part 3, we deal with this myth: Draupadi was an arrogant and possessive queen who did not allow other wives of the Pandavas into the kingdom. Subhadra was an exception because she was Krishna’s sister.
Fact: Draupadi did not lay down any such conditions.
What the text says:
We see other wives with the Pandavas while Draupadi is with them in the dyuta krida or the game of dice incident.
When Yudhishtira leaves for Hastinapur for the dyuta game, he has his entire raaj Parivar or royal family with him. Draupadi and the other royal ladies are part of the entourage.
Post the Draupadi vastraharana attempt in the dyuta sabha at Hastinapura, when the Pandavas and Draupadi are exiled, Karenumati, the wife of Nakula is mentioned by name. Her brother Dhristaketu comes to see the Pandavas and takes her back with him. Krishna takes Subhadra back to Dwaraka. Clearly, both Subhadra and Karenumati accompanied the husbands along with Draupadi from Indraprastha.
Post Kurukshetra, Arjuna goes on the ashwamedha yaga campaign. He battles Babruvahana, his son from the Manipura princess Chitrangadha.
After the battle, Arjuna asks his son and wives Chitrangada and Ulupi to come back to Hastinapura. Chitrangadha and Ulupi stay here after this.
Dhritarashtra, the blind king, and Gandhari lived at Hastinapura for 15 years after Kurukshetra war and during these years, Draupadi and the other wives of the Pandavas together cared for them.
Later when Dhritarastra, Gandhari and Kunti go away to the forest, the Pandavas visit them along with all the wives.
When the Pandavas leave Hastinapura on their final journey, Draupadi goes with them but the other wives do not. Subhadra stays back as the Queen mother to guide both the kings of Hastinapur and Indraprastha. Some other Pandava wives stay back at Hastinapura too. Chitrangadha goes back to her son. Ulupi disappears into the Ganga.
Conclusion:
Draupadi never kept the other wives away from Indraprastha or Hastinapura and in fact, they lived together for several years once the Pandavas were back from exile and the war had been won.
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