To Whom Shall I Turn, If Not To Thee

Aum Sairam

Sri Sai Baba said the whole story in few words, "Unless you have
given it before, you do not get it now" Sri Sai Satcharitra Ch.XXXV.

How profoundly moving is the story of Draupadi's plight in the court
of Duryodhana!

Pulled by her hair by Dushasan who was eager to strip her naked,
Draupadi turned to the five Pandava brothers who hung their heads in
shame. They felt utterly helpless for they were now the slaves of
Duryodhana. They could do nothing. Even Bhima who was second to neon in
strength, now felt powerless to help her.

Then Draupadi turned to the Lord Shri Krishna, "But for thee, who is
there who will come to my rescue at this time of dire need?" she
cried out in anguish.

It is said, Shri Krishna appeared to her and said, "Draupadi, tell
me! Tell me if at any point of time you have given a single piece of
cloth to someone in need. If you have done so, then through that tiny
piece of cloth, i shall be able to save you, but I must have a starting
point somewhere!"

As a queen, countless must have been the instances when draupadi had
given away gifts of all kinds, including bales and bales of cloth. But
at this crucial moment, all she could recall was a simple and
spontaneous act of generosity. One day, she remembered, she was
standing on the river bank as a sanyasin was taking his bath. Suddenly,
a powerful current of water swept away the single loin cloth in which
the sanyasin was clad leaving him naked.

She saw and understood the plight of the sanyasin. Without a moment's
hesitation, she tore a piece out of her own Saree and threw it to the
sanyasin so that he could cover himself with it and come out of the waters.

This was all that Shri Krishna needed to save the honor of Draupadi.
Out of that piece of cloth, He drew out bales after bales of material,
till Dushasan fell to the ground, exhausted and defeated.

Allah Malik