Draupadi
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In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Draupadi is the daughter of King Drupada. She was born from the oblation altar. It is believed that Goddess Kali had given a part of powers to her, for the destruction of the Kauravas. As Drupada was the ruler of the kingdom of Panchala and Draupadi the princess of Panchala, she was also known by the name Paanchali. She was named by Brahmanas as "Krsnā" due to her dark complexion and is very often mentioned and addressed by this name in the Mahabharata.
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Events related to Draupadi
Birth
Draupadi and her brother Dhrishtadyumna (also called Draupada) emerged together from a sacrificial fire that the king had lit to gain a means of revenge on Drona, to whom he had lost half his kingdom.
Marriage to the Pandavas
While in exile, Kunti, mother of the Pandavas often advised her sons that they share everything they have (or obtain) equally amongst themselves. During that time, Arjuna attended Draupadi's swayamvara and won her hand in marriage. When he returned, he triumphantly declared "Look mother, what I have brought!". Kunti, unmindful of what Arjuna was referring to, unassumingly asked her son to share whatever it is with his brothers. Thus, in order to obey their mother's order all five accepted Draupadi as their wife. [1]
Devotion to Krishna
It is said in the Mahabharata that the Kauravas did lose the Mahabaharata war because they treated Draupadi very badly after a dice game in which the Pandavas lost their and Draupadi's freedoms. Dushasana, one of the Kauravas, was violently stripping off Draupadi's clothes, but "as Draupadi's garment was torn off, each time another garment of the same sort appeared again and again, due to grace of Shri Krishna."
She is the exemplification of greatest bhakti to God. She showed utmost faith to Lord Krishna.
References
See Vanamala Bhawalkar, Eminent women in the Mahabharata.
