Understanding of “ The Palace of Illusions”

Women have complex minds and to understand the complexity of their mind, you have to be a woman first. I am saying this because I often heard from my male friends that they found it difficult to understand the thoughts of their female friends. Therefore, I made a conclusion that to understand a woman, one has to be a woman which means men do not and will never understand a complex mind of a woman. Many of you have already disagreed with my first paragraph.
Alright, here I am trying to define my understanding from my recent read “The Palace of Illusions”. It is indeed a famous and an extraordinary work by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. She has portrayed Draupadi in an explicit manner. While reading this book, allow yourself to re-imagine the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat.
Feminism is not a 21st-century thing, pick up any female protagonist in history or mythological story, there are many unsung heroines who were somehow dejected in the course of time. This might be relevant to today’s war-torn world or war within oneself, this book takes us back to a time that is half history, half myth, and wholly imagined and magical. Narrated by one of the most powerful character Panchaali.
The story from her perspective begins from the time of her birth which is narrated by her Dhai Maa. How her father rejected her at the time of Yagna and how he welcomed her brother Dhri. This book tells you to feel the pain and rejection she faced during her lifetime. Also, this book revealed her friendship with Krishna in a manner that no one has ever written before. How Krishna helped her during the hardship. How she got protection from Dussasan during Cheer Haran (one of the important event in the epic)
Interestingly, she narrated her another side of affection towards one of the most neglected characters Karna.
Panchaali is a fiery female redefining for us a world of warriors, gods, and the ever-manipulating hands of fate.
Have a great read.
And definitely, you will come out with a strong point of view about the book and about this very interesting character Draupadi. Please do share your understanding and your perspective.
