Prātikāmī

Prātikāmī was the sūta (charioteer) in the service of Duryodhana. Duryodhana sent him twice to bring Draupadī to the assembly of the dice game. He stands at a turning point in the Dyūta Parva. He carried Draupadī’s question back to the assembly: was she staked before or after her husband lost himself? He returned twice with her refusal to come, and after that Duryodhana sent Duḥśāsana in his place.

The word prātikāmin is understood to mean one who seeks an equal return. It is also understood to mean a messenger or an officer of the court.

The mission to Draupadī

Yudhishṭhira had staked Draupadī and lost her to Śakuni’s dice. Duryodhana then ordered Prātikāmī to go to the antaḥpura (the inner rooms of the palace) and bring her to the assembly. Prātikāmī went.

Draupadī was in her monthly period and wore a single garment. She refused to come at once. She sent a question back through Prātikāmī, and this question shaped the whole moral crisis of the Dyūta Parva:

“Go back and ask the assembly: did my husband stake me before or after he had lost sovereignty over himself? If he was already a slave when he staked me, what authority did he have to do so? Let the assembly answer this.”

Prātikāmī carried the question back to the hall. Vidura heard it and warned Duryodhana of what would follow. The assembly fell silent. Bhīshma said the question was too subtle for him to answer. Yudhishṭhira sat without speaking.

Duryodhana would not face the question of dharma. He ordered Prātikāmī to go back and bring Draupadī herself, so that she could ask it in person. Prātikāmī went again and gave her this command. Draupadī refused again and sent back the same question. Duryodhana lost patience and sent Duḥśāsana to bring her by force.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Sabhā Parva, Dyūta Parva, Chapter 67