A Tale of Naimisharan (Part I)

“Sir Prabhupada, your daughter is a remarkable individual for whom esteemed sages and powerful kings fervently pray to be blessed with her presence. Her grace and enlightenment are unparalleled. The Lord has destined her for a life abundant in blessings and love,” the saint proclaimed. “I wish to propose her hand in marriage to the five sons of the Late King Aryaman Mitramani. It is her fate to be united with them,” the saint declared. A hush fell over the court. “What? All five of them? How can this be, Saint?” Prabhupada inquired, regaining his composure from the initial shock. “Do you not have faith in the Lord? He is the one who has granted her five husbands,” the saint replied. “If the Lord has indeed given her five husbands, how can I oppose it? I accept this marriage proposal,” he finally declared, embracing the arrangement with an burdened heart. Joy illuminated the faces in the courtroom, and the five men were filled with excitement and happiness. However, one individual felt disheartened—Dhani. “I don’t want to marry five men,” she stated, her gaze cast downward. Dhani, a young woman of approximately 22 years, devoted twelve years in prayer to the Lord, seeking a husband. Her prayers were answered, but rather than receiving one spouse, she was blessed with five. This narrative chronicles her life alongside her five husbands. While she is fortunate to have them, it is often said that life encompasses both joy and sorrow. This holds true for her as well. Set in a fantasy world of ancient India, this tale draws inspiration from the story of Queen Draupadi in the renowned Indian epic, the Mahabharata.