Karna Declares Draupadi a Courtesan and Orders Disrobing
Enraged by Vikarna’s defense and the assembly’s approval, Karna delivers a brutal rebuttal. He declares Draupadi lawfully won and, because she has five husbands, a courtesan. He orders Duhshasana to strip the Pandavas and Draupadi.
The assembly’s roar of support for Vikarna was a direct insult to Karna. When the noise subsided, he gripped his lustrous arms, his anger palpable. “I have witnessed many distortions in Vikarna,” he began. “Like fire destroys the block from which it has been kindled, his destruction will come from the fire he has created.”
He dismissed the silent majority. “Though urged by Krishna, those who are assembled here have not uttered a word. I consider that Drupada’s daughter has been won in accordance with dharma, and so do they.” He turned on Vikarna. “O son of Dhritarashtra! Out of childishness, you alone are being torn to bits.”
His argument was legalistic and cold. “In this sabha, the eldest Pandava staked everything he possessed. Droupadi is included in all his possessions. When Krishna has been won in accordance with dharma, how can you think she has not been won?”
Then he shifted from law to morality, aiming to destroy Draupadi’s dignity completely. “It has been ordained by the gods that a woman should only have one husband. However, she submits to many and it is therefore certain that she is a courtesan.” Having declared her status, he declared her treatment fitting. “It is my view that there is nothing surprising in her being brought into the sabha in a single garment, or even if she is naked.”
He gave the order to Duhshasana. “Strip away the garments from the Pandavas and Droupadi.”
The Pandavas removed their upper garments and sat down. Duhshasana then approached Draupadi. In front of the entire sabha, he grabbed her single garment and began to pull.