Beyond the Protagonist A Comparative Study of Draupati, in Divakaruni's Retelling in the Novel “The palace of Illusions

Abstract

The article titled “The Palace of Illusions” is the story taken from the Great epic Mahabharata written by Ved Vyasa (Released by Picador - 2008). This story is a tale of sacrifice, authority and self-esteem. Panchali is the Heroine of the Novel as well as its speaker. Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s The Palace of Illusions reconstructs the character of Draupati, moving beyond her traditional archetypes to highlight her agency, political shrewdness, and survival instincts within a patriarchal context. By analyzing the complex power dynamics and generational survival strategies between Kunti and Panchaali, this study demonstrates how the novel presents a nuanced, multi-layered critique of epic womanhood. The story starts from the appearance of Draupati as a charming dusky complexioned girl baby from the sacrificial divine fire after her brother Drishtadyumna. Draupati was married to all Five Pandavas. Divakaruni narrates Panchali’s divine friendship with Krishna, her secret passion towards Karna who is her husband’s opponent and her wish to take control over her ménage.