Storytelling for Week 5: The Mahabharata

Author's Note. For this week's storytelling, I decided I wanted to do another story where I add some kind of modern detail to a traditional Indian epic, this time using the Mahabharata [RPE version]. My goal for the story is to try to make sense of a weird situation in the epic by writing it out in another format. This week, I decided to write out a bit of an episode of The Bachelorette, starring Draupadi as the main star! This storytelling assignment will reflect the scenes in chapters 26 and 27 where Drupada held a contest for who would marry his daughter. Various men participate in the contest but of course the mighty Arjuna beats everyone and becomes the "winner", being granted the chance to marry Draupadi. However, as we all have read, things take a rather unexpected turn. Arjuna's mother, Kunti, accidentally said for her sons to share the prize, without knowing that the prize was a bride! In my story, Kunti will be the host, misreading her lines and ends up changing the course of the show. This is my take on the epic, with a little touch of a modern reality show. Hope you enjoy.

The Bachelorette: Draupadi [Live Finale]

Tonight on The Bachelorette--The men compete to win Draupadi's heart. After last week's episode with Karna's dramatic departure, who will step up and capture her attention? 

It was the last episode of the season. Yudhishthira, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva were the only men to remain in this final week of the show. This was the first time that brothers had made it all the way to the end. Throughout the weeks of getting to know each other, Draupadi came to admire and like all the men and their personalities. They were strong. They were dependable. She felt safe when she was near them. All in all, she had quite a nice selection of men to choose a husband from.

Today, there was a game that was to be played by the contestants. It was a recreation of an old, fun sport, resembling the game of Stickball. To make the game a bit more challenging, the contestants would have to use a bow and arrow. The aim of this game was to have players attempt to shoot a gold fish on top of a tall pole. The winner would get the chance to get the final rose from Draupadi!

[Scene begins with all the men lined up. Draupadi is on the side beside the host.]

Kunti stands in front of the men, ready to give them their instruction for the day. "Hello everyone. I hope you all are well rested and ready for today. Gentlemen, you have made it very far in your quest for love. Today, we will see just how strong that love is. Next to you, you will see a tall pole with a golden fish at the very top. Your goal today is to knock that fish off using a bow and arrow. This bow and arrow will only allow the strongest of men to use it. It is a matter of quickness and strength. The first to shoot the fish off will have to share the prize...I mean..[Kunti could not read her cue card but could not pause the show to figure it out. She quickly tries to cover up her mistake]..Um. Yes. Best of luck, gentlemen!"

The men paused and assessed the situation. Bhima, Yudhishthira, Nakula, and Sahadeva thought about whether they were strong enough to use the bow. They did not want to take the chance and fail, being humiliated in front of their prospective bride.

Arjuna on the other hand was as confident as ever. Striding toward the bow and arrow, he easily picked it up and hit the golden fish before anyone could realize what was going on. The brothers were stunned. Their brother had done it. He had shot it with such ease. Draupadi could not believe it. Her admiration of Arjuna grew even more. What a strong, powerful man he was. What a wonderful husband he could be.

Kunti, regaining her composure, broke the silence. "Well done, Arjuna! You have displayed such charisma and strength. Draupadi, you may make your decision...after we come back."

Behind the scenes, the producer and her staff were debating and discussing an issue. Kunti hesitantly walks over. The head writer looks up and takes a breath before addressing his show's host. "Listen, Kunti. I know you did not mean to mess up your lines, but we cannot go back on what you said. Arjuna will have to share the prize. If Draupadi chooses to give him the final rose...well...she will need to give more than just one rose."

Kunti could not believe she had messed up the course of the show so terribly! She had not meant to say what she did. But the producer was right. She could not take it back. She hesitantly walked over to where Draupadi stood, getting her hair touched up. "Draupadi, I'm afraid I have to let you know something a bit troubling. If you decide to give a final rose tonight, you will have to give it to all the brothers. Since the show is live, we unfortunately cannot go against what I said earlier. I am deeply sorry."

Draupadi was a bit puzzled. She had not expected this turn of events at all! The more she thought about it, the more she realized there was really nothing else she could do. Her father expected her to get married to someone from the show. She made up her mind. The Bachelorette would make her choice tonight.

Kunti relayed the same information to the brothers. They were very puzzled at first, but eventually came to understand the situation.

[Back from commercial.]

"Welcome back everyone. In just a few moments, we will see what Draupadi's final decision is." Kunti heads off the stage and lets Draupadi make her choice.

Draupadi shyly walks over to the raised platform. She clears her throat before beginning. "Hello gentlemen. It has been an absolute pleasure getting to know all of you. I have been able to learn about your amazing personalities, strengths, and talents. You are all wonderful and I thank you for taking care of me these last few months. I have made a decision. For the final time, I will be giving a rose today. Actually. I will be giving away five. Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva, and Arjuna... I would be honored if you would accept these roses..."

[Fade to black.]

The Bachelorette and her husbands (Image Source).

Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie (1913). Web Source: Mahabharata PDE.