subba Lakshmi

The review on The palace of Illusions by Chitra Benerjee. This book revolves around The feelings of Draupathi,from her birth till her Last journey. This book reflects The time where in the genderbias was prominent in bringing up of Boys and Girls but how Draupathi manages to learn a few things according to her wish & manages some how. Her ambition about life & marriage are common like any other woman. The time / fate/ destiny,play a significant role in her life. Knowing much inadvance about her life in future through various sources yet when time comes,for her temporary relief or ambition or that particular juncture she opens her mind and her words are the root cause for her future miseries. That slip of tongue,which has no value though she regrets later in different occassions are responsible for her future miseries. But in certain situations she has no choice, but to accept life as it comes. On the whole her life is a mixture of compromises, her only solace is lord Krishna but she hardly realizes he is embodiment of Divinity. Definitely she does not deserve the humiliation in the court, the revenge taken by the Kaurava family is disgraceful, & the elderly people, who are the silent spectators is really diplorable, her curse is genuine at that situation, but the loss it brought through Kurukshetra war is irreparable. Yet, she realises and tries to help the families of victims and the steps taken to improve their lives is praise worthy. Her passionate silent love for Karna & comparing to the love of Pandavas in certain situations with that of Karna is dificult to digest for common Indian women norms. What she gained ,what she lost cannot be measured ,but finally her life has a purpose, the End of Kauravas & how they faced their end due to insulting the woman ,the silent spectators & those who supported the unjust Kauravas met their end is a lesson to Humanity. Days are changing,Years are passing but the place/ status of woman there is not much change.,Women is a tool for enjoyement & women themselves support men for such evil intentions,example Virata Family against Keechaka . For Draupadi,Lord Krishna Guided & supported,but now no Laws are providing safety and security to women.